Which Event or Situation Would Violate an Assumption of the Molecular

question 87

Multiple Choice

Which event or situation would violate an assumption of the molecular clock?

• A) The gene that encodes histone H4 evolves much more slowly than the gene that encodes the enzyme hexokinase.
• B) Mitochondrial DNA evolves faster than most nuclear DNA.
• C) Lineages with organisms that have long generation times evolve more slowly than those with shorter generation times.
• D) The taxa involved evolved from a common ancestor more than 100 million years ago.
• E) The taxa involved evolved from a common ancestor less than 10,000 years ago.

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Definitions:

Tympanic Ring

A bone or complex of bones in the ear, involved in the transmission of sound vibrations to the inner ear.

Eardrum

A thin membrane in the ear that vibrates in response to sound waves, playing a key role in hearing.

Stapes

A small stirrup-shaped bone in the middle ear, transmitting vibrations from the incus to the inner ear.

Convergent Evolution

The phenomenon where unrelated species develop comparable characteristics independently due to the necessity of adapting to analogous environments or ecological roles.