Final answer:
The ring of life is a phylogenetic model suggesting that the three domains of life evolved from a shared pool of gene-swapping prokaryotes, which is different from the traditional tree-like evolutionary models. It incorporates horizontal gene transfer and genomic fusion, presenting a more complex picture of life's history.
Correct option is c) A pattern of evolutionary relationships between species
Step-by-step explanation:
The ring of life model is a phylogenetic model that challenges the traditional tree-like structure of evolutionary relationships. Instead of using a tree with a single trunk and branching lineages, the ring of life model suggests that all three domains of life—Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya—evolved from a pool of primitive prokaryotes. This pool of ancient prokaryotes was characterized by extensive horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and genomic fusion, which means that genes were swapped horizontally across different lineages, not just passed down from ancestor to descendant. One of the proponents of the ring of life model, Lake, using the conditioned reconstruction algorithm, argues that this model more accurately reflects the complexity of evolutionary history, as revealed by extensive DNA analysis. However, it's worth noting that there is still skepticism among some phylogeneticists about the ring of life model.