Question

HELLLP

A molecule that can be used as a molecular clock has a neutral mutation rate of one mutation per 10 million years. How many years ago did two species share a common ancestor if the molecules found in these two species differ by a total of six mutations?
A. 6 million years
B. 10 million years
C. 30 million years
D. 60 million years

Answer 1

Based on a molecular clock with a mutation rate of one mutation per 10 million years, two species that differ by six mutations shared a common ancestor about 60 million years ago.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a molecular clock has a neutral mutation rate of one mutation per 10 million years, to calculate how long ago two species shared a common ancestor based on the six mutations found in their molecules, we use the mutation rate to determine the time. Since there are six mutations and each mutation represents 10 million years, we multiply the number of mutations by the mutation rate:

6 mutations × 10 million years/mutation = 60 million years

Therefore, the two species diverged from a common ancestor approximately 60 million years ago, which corresponds to option D.

Answer 2

60 million years is the answer.