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The first thorough comparison of DNA molecules between humans and chimpanzees was carried out...

A. In the 1980s
B. In the 1990s
C. In the 2000s
D. In the 1970s.

User Anh Hoang
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Final answer:

The comparison of DNA between humans and chimpanzees that led to the discovery of our shared genetics was carried out in the 2000s, following the completion of the Human Genome Project. The correct option is C. In the 2000s

Step-by-step explanation:

The first thorough comparison of DNA molecules between humans and chimpanzees was carried out in the 2000s. This was made possible by advances following the Human Genome Project, which began in 1990 and was completed in 2003.

During this time, researchers were able to sequence approximately 99 percent of the human genome with an accuracy of 99.99 percent.

The comparison of human and chimpanzee DNA has provided valuable insight into our evolutionary history, showing that humans and chimpanzees share about 98% of their genes, indicating a common ancestor in the not-too-distant past.

This knowledge has been augmented by the study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which traced matrilineal inheritance back to a common ancestor in Africa around 160,000 years ago, as well as Y chromosome studies tracing patrilineal ancestry back to a male in Africa about 140,000 years ago. The correct option is C. In the 2000s

User Steffen Opel
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