Question

5
approximately 60% of human genes are also found in fruit flies. about 97.5% of human genes are also found in mice. what does this evidence suggest?
a. mice and fruit flies share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with humans.
b. fruit flies have had more mutations and recombinations during their evolution than mice.
c. humans and mice share a more recent common ancestor than do humans and fruit flies.
d. mice have had more mutations and recombinations during their evolution than fruit flies.

Explanation:

In evolutionary biology, a higher percentage of shared genes between two species indicates a more recent common ancestor, as less time has passed for genetic divergence. Humans share 97.5% of genes with mice, but only 60% with fruit flies, meaning humans and mice are more closely evolutionarily related. Option A is incorrect because the data does not support a closer link between mice and fruit flies. Options B and D are not supported, as the shared gene percentage does not directly indicate the total number of mutations/recombinations, only the degree of genetic similarity from a common ancestor.

Answer:

C. Humans and mice share a more recent common ancestor than do humans and fruit flies.