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Multiple Choice
In the context of organic chemistry, what is a molecular clock?
A
A tool for determining the molecular weight of organic compounds
B
An instrument used to analyze the structure of complex molecules
C
A method used to estimate the time of evolutionary divergence based on molecular data
D
A device used to measure the rate of chemical reactions
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of a molecular clock. A molecular clock is a method used in evolutionary biology to estimate the time of evolutionary divergence between species based on molecular data, such as DNA sequences.
Step 2: Recognize that a molecular clock is not a physical tool or device, but rather a theoretical framework used to analyze genetic information.
Step 3: Learn how molecular clocks work by comparing genetic sequences between different species. Mutations accumulate at a relatively constant rate over time, allowing scientists to estimate when two species diverged from a common ancestor.
Step 4: Differentiate between the molecular clock and other tools or instruments in organic chemistry, such as those used to measure molecular weight or analyze chemical structures.
Step 5: Apply the concept of a molecular clock in studies of evolutionary biology, where it helps to construct phylogenetic trees and understand the evolutionary relationships between organisms.