Question

A certain segment of DNA can be used as a molecular clock. Its rate of mutation is one mutation per 15 million years. Examine the DNA segments from two different species:

Species A: GTTGAGCTAGTATGGACC
Species B: GATAAGCTAGTAAGGTCA

Using this example, explain how this information can be used to determine how long ago these two species shared a common ancestor.

Answer 1

5 base pair mutations x 15 million years / 1 mutation = 75 million years ago
this is what i got when i worked out the problem but I'm not sure if i did the math part right

Answer 2

you are absolutely correct!!

Answer 3

yay thank you

Answer 4

:)