Comparison of sequences in mitochondrial DNA is often used to establish the degree of relatedness between organisms and thus to suggest evolutionary relationships, particularly in complex, higher-level organisms - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 7
Comparison of sequences in mitochondrial DNA is often used to establish the degree of relatedness between organisms and thus to suggest evolutionary relationships, p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Comparison of sequences in mitochondrial DNA is often used to establish the degree of relatedness between organisms and thus to suggest evolutionary relationships, particularly in complex, higher-level organisms - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 7 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. is only inherited in males.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from the mother to both male and female offspring.
Step 2
B. has more genes than nuclear DNA.
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Answer
This is false. Mitochondrial DNA contains fewer genes than nuclear DNA.
Step 3
C. mutates more slowly than nuclear DNA.
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Answer
This statement is correct. Mitochondrial DNA tends to have a slower mutation rate compared to nuclear DNA, making it more stable for studying evolutionary relationships.
Step 4
D. contains different nitrogen bases from those found in nuclear DNA.
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Answer
While mitochondrial DNA has different sizes and structures, it does not contain fundamentally different nitrogen bases compared to nuclear DNA; both use adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine.
