The branching "tree of life" analogy
A) accurately reflects evolution because once a split occurs, species on different branches evolve independently.
B) has been discredited because it does not help us understand evolutionary relationships among organisms.
C) fails to account for horizontal gene transfer, in which species on different branches exchange genes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tree of life analogy is limited because it does not account for horizontal gene transfer, where genes are exchanged between different species, complicating the linear branching pattern.

The Branching "Tree of Life" Analogy