Estimating the uncertainty of phylogenetic trees using computer-generated replicates from an original data set is known as ________.
A) a heuristic search
B) the likelihood scenario
C) Bayesian inference
D) bootstrapping

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process described is bootstrapping, which involves creating multiple replicate data sets through random resampling and then analyzing each replicate to obtain a distribution of possible outcomes. This allows for estimation of the variability and uncertainty in the original analysis. Heuristic searches, likelihood scenarios, and Bayesian inference are all methods of tree construction or inference, but they do not specifically address uncertainty estimation through replicates.

Estimating the Uncertainty of Phylogenetic Trees Using Computer-Generated Replicates from an Original