The given data compares the cytochrome [tex]\( c \)[/tex] sequences of five species with that of humans. The table provides both the number of differences in the sequences and the percentage differences. Here's a summary, which will help us draw meaningful conclusions:
- Humans:
- Number of differences: -
- Percentage difference: -
- Chimpanzee:
- Number of differences: 0
- Percentage difference: 0%
- Sheep:
- Number of differences: 10
- Percentage difference: 10%
- Garden Snail:
- Number of differences: 29
- Percentage difference: 28%
- Baker's Yeast:
- Number of differences: 44
- Percentage difference: 42%
- Cauliflower:
- Number of differences: 44
- Percentage difference: 42%
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Understanding the Data:
- The data shows that chimpanzees have no differences in their cytochrome [tex]\( c \)[/tex] sequence compared to humans.
- Sheep have 10 differences, translating to a 10% difference.
- The garden snail has 29 differences, resulting in a 28% difference.
- Both baker's yeast and cauliflower have 44 differences, with a corresponding 42% difference.
2. Drawing Conclusions:
- Similarity and Evolutionary Relationships:
- Since the chimpanzee shows 0 differences (0%), we can infer that the chimpanzee is the most closely related to humans among the listed species.
- Sheep, with a 10% difference, is less closely related but still relatively similar compared to the other species.
- The garden snail has a higher percentage difference (28%) indicating a more distant evolutionary relationship.
- Both baker's yeast and cauliflower, having the highest percentage difference (42%), suggest the most distant evolutionary relationship to humans among the provided species.
- Evolutionary Distance:
- The percentage difference in cytochrome [tex]\( c \)[/tex] sequences can be seen as an indicator of evolutionary distance. A lower percentage difference indicates closer evolutionary relationships while a higher percentage difference indicates a more distant relationship.
- Hence, the order of similarity to humans based on cytochrome [tex]\( c \)[/tex] sequences from closest to furthest is: Chimpanzee, Sheep, Garden Snail, Baker's Yeast, and Cauliflower.
By analyzing these numbers, we infer that chimpanzees have cytochrome [tex]\( c \)[/tex] sequences identical to humans, followed by sheep which have slight differences. Garden snails, baker's yeast, and cauliflower have progressively more significant differences, indicating more distant evolutionary relationships to humans. This information helps understand evolutionary biology and the degree of genetic divergence among different species.
