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Chapter 18: Problem 45

Given your understanding of evolutionary theory and the relationship between evolution and the genetic makeup of populations, which statement is false? a. Homologous characteristics that have evolved more recently are shared only within smaller groups of organisms. b. The genetic code is a homologous characteristic shared by all species because they share a common ancestor in the deep past. c. DNA sequence data would likely support any evolutionary tree drawn from anatomical data sets. d. The degree of relatedness between groups of organisms is only sometimes reflected in the similarity of their DNA sequences.

Short Answer

Expert verified
d. The degree of relatedness between groups of organisms is only sometimes reflected in the similarity of their DNA sequences.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Homologous Characteristics

Homologous characteristics are traits shared by organisms because they inherited them from a common ancestor. More recent homologous traits are found in smaller, more specific groups.
02

Genetic Code as a Homologous Characteristic

The genetic code is universal among all organisms and has been inherited from a common ancestor, making it a homologous characteristic.
03

Analyzing DNA Sequence Data

Evolutionary trees built using anatomical data sets should correspond with those built using DNA sequence data because both reflect the true evolutionary relationships.
04

Evaluating Degree of Relatedness

The degree of relatedness between organisms is consistently reflected in the similarity of their DNA sequences since DNA carries the hereditary information.
05

Identify the False Statement

Given the understanding from the steps above: a) True, b) True, c) True, d) False. DNA similarity consistently reflects organismal relatedness.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Homologous Characteristics
Homologous characteristics are shared traits between different species that originate from a common ancestor. These traits may not always serve the same function now but hint back to an ancient lineage.
For example: The forelimbs of humans, birds, and whales show homologous structures despite their different functions 鈥� grasping, flying, and swimming.
Interestingly, more recent homologous characteristics, such as specific types of feathers, are only found in a smaller group of organisms, like certain bird species.
This is because these traits evolved more recently and hence, are shared within a closer-knit group of species.
Genetic Code
The genetic code is the universal language of life, shared by all living organisms. It consists of sequences of nucleotides in DNA and RNA that determine the amino acid sequences of proteins.
This code's universality points to a common ancestor from which all life descended.
  • For example: The sequence 'AUG' codes for the start amino acid Methionine in almost every organism, from bacteria to humans.
  • The genetic code's consistency across diverse life forms is a fundamental piece of evidence supporting evolutionary theory.
This uniformity underscores that the genetic code itself is a homologous characteristic, inherited from our earliest common ancestor.
DNA Sequence Data
DNA sequence data provides detailed information about the genetic makeup of organisms. By comparing these sequences, scientists can draw evolutionary trees that outline the relationships between various species.
  • When these trees are constructed using anatomical data, they often align with those built from DNA sequences, reinforcing the accuracy of evolutionary models.
  • For example: If you analyze the DNA of humans and chimpanzees, you will find a high degree of similarity, reflecting their close evolutionary relationship.
DNA sequencing allows scientists to get a precise understanding of how species are related and has revolutionized our understanding of life's history.
Evolutionary Relationships
Evolutionary relationships refer to how different species are related through common ancestry. These relationships are often depicted in trees, called phylogenetic trees, which show branching paths from common ancestors.
  • To determine these relationships, scientists use various data, including physical (anatomical) traits and genetic data.
  • For example: Birds and reptiles share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with mammals, which is reflected in both their anatomical features and DNA.
By studying these relationships, scientists can understand how species have diverged over time and have adapted to their environments.
Importantly, the degree of relatedness is usually robustly reflected in the similarity of their DNA sequences due to the inheritance patterns and mutations over generations.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which statement about postzygotic barriers is false? a. They occur after fertilization. b. They include hybrids that are sterile. c. They include hybrid organisms that don鈥檛 survive the embryonic stage. d. They include reproductive organ incompatibility

Which of these statements about a natural principle that points to the inevitability of natural selection is false? a. Most characteristics of organisms are inherited. b. Offspring vary among each other in regard to their characteristics. c. Some generations of offspring do not need to compete for resources. d. Certain traits will be better represented in the next generation

In a hybrid zone, in addition to interacting, what else do two closely related species do? a. compete b. reproduce c. transition d. fuse

How does the scientific meaning of 鈥渢heory鈥� differ from the common vernacular meaning? a. A scientific theory is a hypothesis that needs to be tested, whereas people often use theory to mean a simple guess. b. A scientific theory is a statement that has been proven correct, while people often use it to mean a statement that has not yet been verified. c. A scientific theory is a thoroughly tested set of explanations for a body of observations of nature, while people often use it to mean a guess or speculation. d. A scientific theory is a random guess, while people often use it to mean a statement that is somewhat based in fact.

Which of the following statements is false? a. Graudal speciation and punctuated equilibrium both result in the divergence of species. b. Punctuated equilibrium is most likely to occur in a large population in a stable environment. c. In the punctuated equilibrium model, gradualism is not excluded. d. In the gradual speciation model, traits change incrementally
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