You compare homologous nucleotide sequences between several pairs of species with known divergence times.A pair of species that diverged 1 million years ago has two nucleotide differences,a pair that diverged 2 million years ago has four nucleotide differences,and a pair that diverged 3 million years ago has six nucleotide differences.You have sequence data for another pair of species where the divergence time is unknown.There are five nucleotide differences between them.Based on your clock,when did their line of ancestry diverge?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate of nucleotide differences is consistent at two differences per million years. Therefore, five differences would correspond to 2.5 million years of divergence.

You Compare Homologous Nucleotide Sequences Between Several Pairs of Species