A molecular clock is:
A)a clock that uses atoms for accurate time keeping.
B)an estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence between two populations or species.
C)a tool used to identify the rate of mutation, and is the same for all genes.
D)a tool for studying evolution that has no real-world applications.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A molecular clock is an estimate of the rate of accumulation of genetic divergence between two populations or species. It is based on the assumption that mutations occur at a roughly constant rate over time, allowing for the estimation of the divergence time between two species or populations based on the number of differences observed in their DNA sequences. It is not a clock that uses atoms for timekeeping, nor is it the same for all genes, as different genes can have different rates of mutation. Additionally, while it is primarily a tool for studying evolution, it has real-world applications, such as in forensic DNA analysis and the study of infectious disease outbreaks.

A Molecular Clock Is