A study of certain nuclear genes in humans and chimpanzees shows that the two species differ in 5 percent of their DNA bases.Base substitution mutations occur at a rate of 1 percent per one million years.How many million years ago did these species diverge?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The species differ by 5 percent in their DNA bases, and mutations occur at a rate of 1 percent per million years. Therefore, it would take 5 million years for a 5 percent difference to accumulate, indicating the species diverged 5 million years ago.

A Study of Certain Nuclear Genes in Humans and Chimpanzees