What makes ribosomal RNA useful as a molecular clock?

A - A large portion of the DNA ring is not vital to structure or function, allowing it to accumulate neutral mutations.

B - Its rate of mutation increases over time as organisms continue to evolve and differentiate from each other.

C - A slow mutation rate makes it useful for determining evolutionary relationships between ancient species.

D - It is only found in select organisms, making it easier to compare relationships between species that have it.

Question

Avery Coffey

Biology

27 April, 13:07

What makes ribosomal RNA useful as a molecular clock?

A - A large portion of the DNA ring is not vital to structure or function, allowing it to accumulate neutral mutations.

B - Its rate of mutation increases over time as organisms continue to evolve and differentiate from each other.

C - A slow mutation rate makes it useful for determining evolutionary relationships between ancient species.

D - It is only found in select organisms, making it easier to compare relationships between species that have it.

+2

Answers (2)

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Sydnee Mcintyre · Answer 1

The correct answer would be option C.

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is used as molecular clock due to many factors such as:

It has very slow mutation rate (around 1 million years) due to which it remains highly conserved in all the organisms. The degree of mutations present in rRNAs of two organisms can be directly linked to the time they were evolved in past.

In addition, it has essential biological function due to which it can be found in almost all the organisms.

Ainsley Alvarado · Answer 2

Ainsley Alvarado 27 April, 13:36

0

Option c a slow mutation rate