The Concept of Molecular Evolution is Based on Which Premise

Question

The concept of molecular evolution is based on which premise?
A) The molecules of life all evolved in the same approximate time span.
B) Species that have very similar DNA sequences probably share recent ancestors.
C) Species coevolved similar DNA sequences by chance.
D) All genes have the same mutation rate.
E) The sequences of sugars and phosphates in DNA molecules indicate shared ancestry.

Accepted Answer

The concept of molecular evolution is based on the premise that species that have very similar DNA sequences probably share recent ancestors. This is because DNA sequences change over time through mutations, and species that diverged from a common ancestor more recently will have a higher degree of similarity in their DNA than species that diverged from a common ancestor a long time ago. Molecular evolution can therefore be used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships between species based on their DNA sequences.