Question

A paleontology student plans to compare the genomes of fossilized marine organisms from Africa and North America to identify how long ago they had a common ancestor. Like most old fossils, the tissue and shell of the organism have been replaced by quartz and calcium rock. What faulty reasoning will the student's research advisor most likely point out?

Answer 1

A.The genomes would have suffered mutations after the organisms died due to environmental factors, so they will yield incorrect ages.
B.The rock that makes up the fossils replaced the organisms' tissue and genetic material, so their genomes can't be extracted.
C.The fossils are on two different continents, so a common ancestor will not exist.
D.The ancient marine organisms most likely lack a common ancestor shallow enough in the ocean to be reached.

Answer 2

genomes would most likely be difficult to extract or there wouldn't be enough to do a comprehensive analysis of homology (test for common ancestry).