Biology

Question

AOLS

Which of the following questions could most likely be answered using molecular clocks? (2

points)

O How long have beetles existed on Earth?

• What processes cause beetles to become extinct?

• Which species of beetles are most closely related?

• How many species of beetles existed in the past?

Answer

How long have beetles existed on Earth?

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Molecular clocks are used to estimate the time of divergence between two species based on the accumulation of genetic mutations over time. Therefore, the question "How long have beetles existed on Earth?" is most likely to be answered using molecular clocks. By comparing the genetic differences between different species of beetles, scientists can estimate the time when these species diverged from a common ancestor and thus, infer the approximate time when beetles first appeared on Earth.