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Multiple Choice
Which explanation most accurately describes the relationships between the domains of living things?
A
The three domains—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—represent major evolutionary lineages, with Archaea and Eukarya sharing a more recent common ancestor with each other than with Bacteria.
B
All three domains are equally related to one another, having diverged from a common ancestor at the same time.
C
Eukarya is a subgroup within the domain Bacteria.
D
Bacteria and Eukarya are more closely related to each other than either is to Archaea.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of the three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. These domains represent the highest level of classification in the biological hierarchy and are based on differences in cellular structure, genetic material, and evolutionary history.
Step 2: Recall that the three domains diverged from a common ancestor. However, the evolutionary relationships between them are not equal. Studies of molecular biology, particularly ribosomal RNA sequences, have shown that Archaea and Eukarya share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with Bacteria.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options based on biological evidence. For example, the statement 'All three domains are equally related to one another' is incorrect because molecular data shows that Archaea and Eukarya are more closely related. Similarly, 'Eukarya is a subgroup within the domain Bacteria' is incorrect because Eukarya is a separate domain entirely.
Step 4: Consider the statement 'Bacteria and Eukarya are more closely related to each other than either is to Archaea.' This is also incorrect because molecular evidence supports the closer relationship between Archaea and Eukarya.
Step 5: Conclude that the most accurate explanation is: 'The three domains—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—represent major evolutionary lineages, with Archaea and Eukarya sharing a more recent common ancestor with each other than with Bacteria.' This aligns with current scientific understanding of evolutionary relationships.