The molecular clock is based on the assumption that
A) living organisms have equal amounts of carbon and carbon-14 in their tissues.
B) genetic mutations accumulate at a constant rate.
C) the products of uranium decay tend to solidify, separate out of water, and mix with salts that collect on the bottom of a lake or sea.
D) heating an irradiated substance releases trapped electrons together with a quantity of light directly in proportion to their number.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molecular clock hypothesis assumes that genetic mutations accumulate at a relatively constant rate over time, allowing scientists to estimate the time of divergence between species.

The Molecular Clock Is Based on the Assumption That