It is problematic for researchers to identify the deepest node in a phylogenetic tree because __________.
A) it is possible to construct a number of different possible phylogenetic trees from one dataset
B) putting a date to the node involves setting the molecular clock
C) genetic data provides no insights into what the bodies carrying the genes looked like
D) all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A) It is indeed possible to construct multiple phylogenetic trees from a single dataset, making it difficult to identify the deepest node.
B) Setting a date to the node involves using the molecular clock, which is not always accurate and can vary between different lineages.
C) Although genetic data can provide insight into evolutionary relationships, it does not provide information about the physical characteristics of the organisms.

It Is Problematic for Researchers to Identify the Deepest Node