A molecular clock is:

A) A tool for studying evolution that has no real-world applications.

B) A tool used to identify the rate of mutation, and is the same for all genes.

C) An estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence between two populations or species.

D) A clock that uses atoms for accurate time keeping.

Question

Ashley Watts

Physics

12 December, 19:07

A molecular clock is:

A) A tool for studying evolution that has no real-world applications.

B) A tool used to identify the rate of mutation, and is the same for all genes.

C) An estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence between two populations or species.

D) A clock that uses atoms for accurate time keeping.

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Maverick Gamble · Answer 1

Correct anwer is option C (A molecular clock is an estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence between two populations or species.)

Explanation:

The molecular clock does not measure time in terms of hour or minute or second, but it is used to estimate the mutation rate of bio molecules to find the number of changes which are accumulated in the gene sequences of different kind of species with time. Or we can say that molecular clock is an estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence.

Therefore correct answer is option C (A molecular clock is an estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence between two populations or species.)