Question

scientists compile many pieces of evidence to infer evolutionary relationships. here is one such piece of evidence.
histone h4 is a protein in the nucleus that dna coils around to make chromatin, and it plays a role in gene activation by allowing transcription. in eukaryotes, it contains 103 amino acids. this table shows the number of amino acids in histone h4 that differ between three different eukaryotes: sun sea stars, plasmodial slime molds, and african clawed frogs.
how does this evidence support the claim that african clawed frogs are more closely related to sun sea stars than to plasmodial slime molds? complete the paragraph.
african clawed frogs and sun sea stars have differences in their histone h4 amino acid sequences than african clawed frogs and plasmodial slime molds have. this suggests that african clawed frogs and have less similar dna and evolved from a more common ancestor.

Explanation:

The table shows that African clawed frogs and sun sea stars have 2 differences in histone H4 amino acid sequences, while African clawed frogs and plasmodial slime molds have 4 differences. Fewer differences in amino - acid sequences imply more similar DNA (since DNA codes for proteins) and a more recent common ancestor (as species that diverged more recently from a common ancestor tend to have more similar genetic material).

Answer:

African clawed frogs and sun sea stars have fewer differences in their histone H4 amino acid sequences than African clawed frogs and plasmodial slime molds have. This suggests that African clawed frogs and plasmodial slime molds have less similar DNA and evolved from a less recent common ancestor.