Question

A scientist is trying to determine the relationship between clams, snails, and squid. When she generates a molecular clock, she is surprised to see that clams and squid are more closely related than clams and snails. Which did the molecular clock data show?

Answer 1

Answer:

B)

Explanation:

A) Clams and squid have been evolving separately for a longer time than clams and snails.

B) Clams and squid have been evolving separately for a shorter time than clams and snails.

C) Clams and snails have more in common genetically than clams and squid.

D) Clams and snails are more similar in related structures than clams and squids.

Answer 2

Answer:

Compared to clams and snails, squid and clams have undergone different evolutionary processes for less time.

Explanation:

• The molecular clock is a method that can be used to determine when two species first diverged by counting the changes between their DNA molecules.
• According to the Molecular Clock theory, the number of nucleotide differences between two species would be proportional to the duration of their evolutionary separation, and as a result, some proteins' sequence substitutions would occur at a consistent rate, with proteins acting as the timers.
• The evolutionary links between clams, squid, and snails were determined in the aforementioned inquiry using the molecular clock.
• According to this experiment, clams and squids are more connected than clams and snails.
• This indicates that clams and squids diverged earlier than clams and snails.

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