Question

The given figure shows a phylogenetic tree of modern lizard genera based on DNA sequences.

The greatest number of non-coding DNA differences are shown by which two genera of lizards?

• A. Aprasia and Ophidiocephalus
• B. Pygopus and Ophidiocephalus
• C. Lialis and Aprasia
• D. Pygopus and Pletholax
• E. Lialis and Delma

Answer 1

The correct option is E Lialis and Delma

The nucleotide sequence provides rich source of information for drawing phylogenetic relationships.Comparison of the DNA sequences reveals the phylogenetic proximity between organisms. A high degree of DNA sequence similarity is close phylogenetic relationships and is absent in organisms that are phylogenetically distant. The non coding DNA sequences which are components of an organism's DNA that do not encode protein sequences play a major role in identifying the phylogeny. The non-coding DNA though vary greatly among the species, these are involved transnational and transcriptional regulation of protein-coding sequences. According to the given phylogenetic tree, the genus Lialis and Delma show the greatest number of non-coding DNA differences.