Following table shows data on amino acid substitution in the $\alpha$ chain of haemoglobin in four d

Question

Following table shows data on amino acid substitution in the $\alpha$ chain of haemoglobin in four different mammalian species $A$, $B$, $C$ and $D$. On the basis of the data shown in the table, choose the most appropriate evolutionary tree from those given below.

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

(d) : The molecular clock is the concept that during evolution the number of substitutions in the nucleotides of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) and hence in the protein encoded by nucleic acid, is proportional to time. The molecular clock uses fossil constraints and rates of molecular change to deduce the time in geologic history when two species or other taxa diverged. It is used to estimate the time of occurrence of events called speciation or radiation.