Consider the Figure Below Showing the Arrangement of Homologous Genes

question 45

Multiple Choice

Consider the figure below showing the arrangement of homologous genes in several great apes relative to human chromosome 2. Red and blue lines between chromosomes connect homologous regions. Do these data reject or support the sister group relationship between humans and chimps? Data source: Yunis, J. J., and O. Prakash. 19 March 1982 "The Origin of Man: A Chromosomal Pictorial Legacy." Science 215:1525-1530.

• A)These data reject the sister taxa relationship because humans only have a single chromosome and all other great apes have two; these data cannot be used to infer relatedness.
• B)These data reject the sister taxa relationship because all the genes that are connected by the blue lines are the same in all great apes.
• C)These data support the sister taxa relationship because all genes indicated by red and blue lines in chimpanzees are also in humans.
• D)These data support the sister taxa relationship because it shows how the human chromosome was divided in two to give rise to all other great ape taxa.

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Critical Thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment, often requiring the identification and separation of fact from opinion.