Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
If you wanted to determine the lineage of plants that have evolved on a relatively young archipelago—approximately 15,000 years old—what type of nucleic acid should you compare?
A
mRNA
B
rRNA
C
tRNA
D
Nuclear DNA
E
mtDNA
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the problem is asking about determining the evolutionary lineage of plants on a young archipelago.
Recognize that different types of nucleic acids can be used for phylogenetic studies, each with its own advantages.
Consider that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is often used in evolutionary studies because it mutates at a relatively constant rate and is inherited maternally, providing a clear lineage.
Compare the options: mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, Nuclear DNA, and mtDNA. Note that mtDNA is particularly useful for studying recent evolutionary events due to its rapid mutation rate.
Conclude that mtDNA is the most suitable nucleic acid for determining the lineage of plants on a young archipelago, as it provides insights into recent evolutionary changes.