Question

One way to classify organisms is by analyzing their genetic information to determine where they belong within a phylogenetic tree or cladogram. Which of the following best describes a complication of classifying bacteria based on genetic information?
Answer

The DNA in one species of bacteria can be exchanged with an unlike species of bacteria.

The DNA mutation rate of bacteria cannot be tracked, unlike other organisms.

The DNA of bacteria cannot be distinguished from the DNA of organisms they may use as a host.

The DNA of bacteria is not made of the same nucleic acids as o

Answer 1

When use genetic info to compare the relatedness of species by sequencing DNA from both organisms and comparing it. The more the two sequences resemble each other, the more closely related the organisms are. The less the two sequences resemble each other, the more distant the relationship between the organisms.

You should approach a prob like this with process of elimination:

The DNA of all organisms (bacteria included) are made out of DNA; the DNA of bacteria can be easily distinguished from the DNA of its host (grow a colony of bacteria from a single bacterium and get the sample to be sequenced from that instead) and the mutation rates of bacteria, though different in some cases than the mutation rates in other organisms, can certainly be tracked. That leaves...

Answer 2

the last option?

Answer 3

D was the first option I suggested you eliminate. The DNA of bacteria is by definition deoxyribonucleic acid. With the emphasis on "-nucleic acid."

Answer 4

ooooh gotcha!! so the first option then

Answer 5

Yup, exactly. :D

Answer 6

Might as well throw out the term 'lateral transfer;' it's the mechanism through which the first answer works.