Final answer:
The percentage difference in mitochondrial DNA sequences between humans and chimpanzees is more than 98%. Control regions of mitochondrial DNA show a higher difference. Humans have lower mitochondrial genome diversity due to lower mutation rates. The high homology between chimpanzee and human mitochondrial DNA suggests a common ancestor. The divergence between human and chimpanzee ancestors occurred 6.5-7.5 million years ago based on mitochondrial DNA evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The percentage difference in the complete mitochondrial DNA sequences between humans and chimpanzees is more than 98%. This means that over 98% of the DNA sequence in humans is identical to that of chimpanzees.
The region of the mitochondrial DNA that shows a higher difference between humans and chimpanzees is the control regions. These regions are responsible for regulating the expression of mitochondrial genes.
The explanation for humans having lower mitochondrial genome diversity compared to chimpanzees is that humans have lower mutation rates. This lower mutation rate results in less genetic variation among humans compared to chimpanzees.
The high homology between chimpanzee and human mitochondrial DNA suggests that they share a common ancestor. The similarity in their DNA sequences points to a shared evolutionary history.
The divergence between the human and chimpanzee ancestors, based on mitochondrial DNA evidence, is estimated to have occurred 6.5-7.5 million years ago. This timeline aligns with the current understanding of the split between humans and chimpanzees in the evolutionary tree.