Question

students are studying dna sequencing as evidence of evolutionary relationships between animals and humans. the chart illustrates the similarities between animal and human dna.
human/animal dna similarities

animal	% of dna similar to human dna
chimpanzee	99
dog	84
mouse	90

which statement best summarizes an evolutionary relationship supported by the data in the table?
a. chickens are the most closely related to humans.
b. chimpanzees are the most closely related to humans.
c. dogs are more closely related to humans than to mice.
d. mice are more closely related to humans than to chimpanzees.

Explanation:

To determine the evolutionary relationship, we analyze the DNA similarity percentages:

• Chicken: 65%, Chimpanzee: 99%, Dog: 84%, Mouse: 90%.
• Higher DNA similarity means closer evolutionary relationship.
• Chimpanzee has the highest similarity (99%) to human DNA.
• Option A is wrong (chicken has lowest similarity).
• Option C: Dog (84%) is less similar than Mouse (90%) to humans, so wrong.
• Option D: Mouse (90%) is less similar than Chimpanzee (99%) to humans, so wrong.
• Option B is correct as Chimpanzee has the highest similarity.

Answer:

B. Chimpanzees are the most closely related to humans.