Question

This chart shows a portion of a dichotomous key. Which relationship can be

determined from this dichotomous key?

A) Organism X and organism Z have at least one observable trait in common.

B) Organism Y has at least one observable trait in common with organisms X or Z.

C) Organism X is in a different phylum than organism Y.

D) Organism Z is genetically closer to organism X than to organism Y.

Answer 1

B) Organism Y has at least one observable trait in common with organisms X or Z.

Answer 2

Answer:

D) Organism Z is genetically closer to organism X than to organism Y.

Explanation:

According to the given dichotomous key, organism Y does not share any recent common ancestor with organisms Z and X. However organism Z and organism X are more closely related to each other as the most recent ancestor of organism Z, that is, "9" shares common ancestor with organism "X". The two organisms who are evolutionary closer to each other are more likely to share genetic similarities with than the distantly related organisms.