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Multiple Choice
Which group is considered to be the closest living relative of animals?
A
Fungi
B
Bacteria
C
Plants
D
Choanoflagellates
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the concept of phylogenetic relationships, which are used to determine the evolutionary connections between different groups of organisms.
Recognize that animals are part of the eukaryotic domain, which includes organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus.
Identify the major groups within the eukaryotic domain: animals, plants, fungi, and protists. Choanoflagellates are a type of protist.
Learn that choanoflagellates are single-celled organisms that share a common ancestor with animals, making them the closest living relatives to animals.
Understand that molecular and genetic studies have shown similarities between choanoflagellates and animals, particularly in genes related to cell signaling and adhesion, supporting their close evolutionary relationship.