Molecular evolutionists are able to study evolution directly using research models such as viruses, bacteria, and unicellular eukaryotes because substitution rates are related to _______ rather than to _______.

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Molecular evolutionists are able to study evolution directly using research models such as viruses, bacteria, and unicellular eukaryotes because substitution rates are related to generation time rather than to absolute time. These models have short generation times, allowing for the accumulation of mutations and the observation of evolutionary changes over a relatively short time period. Absolute time, on the other hand, is more relevant for studying evolution in organisms with longer generation times and slower rates of evolution.

Molecular Evolutionists Are Able to Study Evolution Directly Using Research