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Multiple Choice
In phylogeny, the term 'deeply branching' refers to which of the following?
A
Organisms that have undergone extensive horizontal gene transfer
B
Organisms that are closely related to the most recent common ancestor
C
Organisms that have complex branching patterns in their evolutionary history
D
Organisms that diverged early from the common ancestor of a group
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of phylogeny: Phylogeny is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among organisms or groups of organisms. It often involves constructing a phylogenetic tree, which is a diagram that represents these relationships.
Define 'deeply branching': In phylogenetic terms, 'deeply branching' refers to organisms that diverged early from the common ancestor of a group. These organisms are often considered to be more primitive or ancestral compared to others in the group.
Differentiate between the options: Analyze each option given in the problem to determine which one aligns with the definition of 'deeply branching'.
Option analysis: The correct option is 'Organisms that diverged early from the common ancestor of a group'. This matches the definition of 'deeply branching' as these organisms are among the earliest to split from the lineage leading to other members of the group.
Conclude with the correct understanding: Recognize that deeply branching organisms provide insights into the early evolutionary history of a group, helping scientists understand the characteristics and traits of ancient ancestors.