Question

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 have had more mutations and recombinations during their evolution than fruit flies.
B.
Mice and fruit flies share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with humans.
C.
Fruit flies have had more mutations and recombinations during their evolution than mice.
D.
Humans and mice share a more recent common ancestor than do humans and fruit flies.

Answer 1

The presence of the 60 percent of similar genes in the fruit flies and humans, and 97.5 % similar genes in humans and mice suggests that the common ancestory of the humans and mice is much more recent than the common ancestory of humans and fruit flies. The majority of the similar genes in the mice and humans is the indication that they have evolved from a common ancestor not very long ago. However, only 60% similarity between fruit flies and humans indicates that it had been some time since they both have had a common ancestor.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Option D'.