Answered

A scientist is trying to determine how closely related a moth species (Species [tex]$Z$[/tex]) is to four other moth species (Species A, B, C, and D). He examined the DNA of each species and compared it to the study subject. He then created this table:

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
Species & \# of genetic differences \\
\hline
Species A & 12 \\
\hline
Species B & 3 \\
\hline
Species C & 14 \\
\hline
Species D & 28 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Which species is most closely related to Species [tex]$Z$[/tex]?

A. Species A
B. Species B
C. Species C
D. Species D



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
To determine which species is most closely related to the moth species [tex]\( Z \)[/tex], we need to find the species with the smallest number of genetic differences compared to Species [tex]\( Z \)[/tex]. Let’s carefully examine the table given:

[tex]\[ \begin{tabular}{|c|c|} \hline Species & \# of genetic differences \\ \hline Species A & 12 \\ \hline Species B & 3 \\ \hline Species C & 14 \\ \hline Species D & 28 \\ \hline \end{tabular} \][/tex]

From the table:

- Species A has 12 genetic differences.
- Species B has 3 genetic differences.
- Species C has 14 genetic differences.
- Species D has 28 genetic differences.

The lower the number of genetic differences, the more closely related the species is to the moth species [tex]\( Z \)[/tex]. Therefore, we look for the smallest number in the [tex]\( \# of genetic differences \)[/tex] column.

Comparing the numbers:

- 12 (Species A)
- 3 (Species B)
- 14 (Species C)
- 28 (Species D)

The smallest number of genetic differences is 3, which corresponds to Species B. Hence, Species B is most closely related to the moth species [tex]\( Z \)[/tex].

In conclusion, the species most closely related to Species [tex]\( Z \)[/tex] is Species B.