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Multiple Choice
According to the phylogenetic tree shown, which pair of organisms shares the most recent common ancestor?
A
Organism A and Organism C
B
Organism A and Organism B
C
Organism C and Organism D
D
Organism B and Organism D
Verified step by step guidance
1
Examine the phylogenetic tree carefully. A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among organisms based on shared ancestry.
Identify the nodes (branch points) on the tree. Each node represents a common ancestor shared by the organisms branching from it.
Locate the organisms mentioned in the question (Organism A, B, C, and D) on the tree. Trace their branches back to the nodes to determine where they share common ancestors.
Compare the nodes where each pair of organisms shares a common ancestor. The pair that shares the most recent common ancestor will have a node closest to the tips of the branches (furthest from the root of the tree).
Based on the tree structure, determine which pair of organisms has the most recent common ancestor and verify the correct answer provided in the question.