Waec Model Questions Vol1 2025 Biology Question 24

Practice objective / multiple choice question 24 from the 2025 Waec Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination.

Waec Model Questions Vol1 2025 Biology Objective / Multiple Choice Medium Difficulty
Question 24 WAEC_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2025 • BIOLOGY • objective

Two beetle species show a mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence of 4.5 %. Assuming a constant mutation rate of 1.5 % per million years per lineage, estimate the time (in million years) since they shared a common ancestor. The fossil record indicates that the earliest known beetle dates to 300 million years ago. Discuss whether the molecular estimate is consistent with the fossil evidence.

Answer Options

A. 3.0 million years; consistent because the fossil record provides only a minimum age, not a contradiction
Correct Answer B. 1.5 million years; consistent because the fossil record provides only a minimum age, not a contradiction
C. 0.75 million years; consistent because the fossil record provides only a minimum age, not a contradiction
D. 1.5 million years; inconsistent because the fossil record shows beetles existed 300 million years ago, far older than the molecular estimate
Correct Answer
B
Correct Option:
1.5 million years; consistent because the fossil record provides only a minimum age, not a contradiction

About This Question

This is Waec Model Questions Vol1 2025 Biology Question 24. It is one of the objective questions from the 2025 Waec Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination.

Difficulty level: Medium .

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