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Question #46434
The Question
Two phylogenetically distinct species of extremophilic archaea are found to possess an identical, highly stable hydrophobic protein fold that self-assembles into protective microspheres. However, genomic analysis reveals that the DNA sequences encoding these proteins share no significant similarity. In the context of evolutionary principles and chemical self-assembly, this molecular similarity is best described as:
Options
- A.
Homology, indicating divergent evolution from a common ancestor that possessed the ancestral microsphere-forming gene.
- B.
Analogy, representing convergent evolution at the molecular level driven by identical chemical selection pressures.
- C.
Atavism, representing the sudden reappearance of an ancestral chemical trait from the prebiotic soup era.
- D.
Adaptive radiation, illustrating the diversification of a single ancestral protein sequence into identical functional forms.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Microspheres|Proteinoid_Matrices|Evolutionary_Convergence
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often harbor the misconception that molecular similarities (like identical protein folds or amino acid sequences) inherently imply homology (shared ancestry).
This question tests the understanding that convergent evolution (analogy) can occur at the molecular level, where identical chemical selection pressures force independent lineages to arrive at the same structural solution, mimicking shared ancestry.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Evolution - Class 12 |
| Concept | Chemical Evolution Sequence |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |