[Campbell Biology P.491] The section "What do gene sequences tell us about evolutionary rela... | Practice Question

The section "What do gene sequences tell us about evolutionary relationships between species?" illustrates a phylogenetic tree. What is the primary purpose of constructing such a tree using gene sequence data?

  • A: To determine the exact number of genes shared between species.
  • B: To visualize the evolutionary history and common ancestry among species.
  • C: To predict the future evolution of new species.
  • D: To identify all noncoding DNA regions in each species.

Explanation

Phylogenetic trees, often constructed using gene sequence data, are used to depict the evolutionary history and relationships between different species, showing their common ancestry and divergence over time. The section title directly states this purpose: "What do gene sequences tell us about evolutionary relationships between species?".