The maximum parsimony method is used to construct a phylogenetic tree for aset of sequences. Which one of the following statements about the method isCORRECT?(A) It predicts the tree that minimizes the steps required to generate the observedvariations(B) It predicts the tree that maximizes the steps required to generate the observedvariations(C) It predicts the tree with the least number of branch points(D) It employs probability calculations to identify the tree
Question
The maximum parsimony method is used to construct a phylogenetic tree for aset of sequences. Which one of the following statements about the method isCORRECT?(A) It predicts the tree that minimizes the steps required to generate the observedvariations(B) It predicts the tree that maximizes the steps required to generate the observedvariations(C) It predicts the tree with the least number of branch points(D) It employs probability calculations to identify the tree
Solution
The correct statement about the maximum parsimony method used to construct a phylogenetic tree for a set of sequences is:
(A) It predicts the tree that minimizes the steps required to generate the observed variations.
This method is based on the principle of parsimony, which is the idea that the simplest explanation that fits the data is the most likely. In the context of phylogenetic trees, this means that the tree that requires the fewest evolutionary changes (or "steps") to explain the observed data is considered the most likely. This method does not necessarily predict the tree with the least number of branch points (C), nor does it maximize the steps required (B). It also does not employ probability calculations to identify the tree (D).
Similar Questions
Which of the following is wrong statement about the maximum likelihood approach?(1 Point)This method doesn’t always involve probability calculationsIt finds a tree that best accounts for the variation in a set of sequencesThe method is similar to the maximum parsimony methodThe analysis is performed on each column of a multiple sequence alignment
What principle proposes that the most likely phylogenetic tree is the one that is the simplest for all the characters and their states?Multiple choice question.Natural selectionParsimonySynapomorphyConvergent evolutionSymplesiomorphy
Which of the following is true with respect to phylogenetic trees?Group of answer choicesthe mechanism driving speciation events is demonstratedeach node represents a common ancestor of 2 lineagesDNA sequences are the only data that can be used to construct a phylogentic treeall areas of the genome are equally useful for producing phylogentic trees
Which approach is used to determine the probability that a proposed phylogenetic tree would give rise to observed data given an assumed rate of evolution?Multiple choice question.Maximum likelihoodBayesian methodsSystematicsCladisticsParsimony
What kind of data were first used to create phylogenetic trees?Multiple choice question.Natural selection dataSimilarities in DNA sequencesSimilarities in morphologyHabitat data
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