Which of the Following Statements Best Describes the Rationale for Applying

question 49

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best describes the rationale for applying the principle of maximum parsimony in constructing phylogenetic trees?

• A) Parsimony allows the researcher to "root" the tree.
• B) Similarity due to common ancestry should be more common than similarity due to convergent evolution.
• C) The molecular clock validates the principle of parsimony.
• D) The outgroup roots the tree, allowing the principle of parsimony to be applied.