Molecular Evidence Indicating Less Than 50% Shared Genes was the Basis

Question

Molecular evidence indicating less than 50% shared genes was the basis for:
A) dividing the prokaryotes into two domains, Bacteria and Archaea.
B) separating the kingdom Protista from the kingdom Animalia.
C) including algae and slime molds in the kingdom Protista.
D) the separation of eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
E) placing fungi in a separate kingdom.

Accepted Answer

Molecular evidence, particularly the analysis of ribosomal RNA sequences, showed that prokaryotes are divided into two fundamentally different groups, leading to the establishment of the domains Bacteria and Archaea. This was a significant revision of the tree of life, recognizing the deep evolutionary divide between these two groups.