Question

High degree of homology in the DNA of dogs and wolves is correctly described as “dogs and wolves share a very recent common ancestor”.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Homology is analogous in biology because of the common ancestry between a pair of structures or genes in different taxa. The term homology, invented about 1656, is derived from the Greek word homology.

Complete Answer:
- Homology refers to features that are inherited from a shared ancestor from two distinct species. The best explanation for the high degree of homology in the DNA of dogs and wolves is that a very recent common ancestor is shared by dogs and wolves.
- In their DNA, dogs and wolves share a high level of homology and we can also assume that:
- Although it is true that dogs and wolves also have 78 chromosomes, the number of chromosomes does not necessarily mean a similar relationship (for example, chickens also have 78 chromosomes), this high degree of homology is not attributable to the same chromosome numbers as.
- The same ecological niche is not filled by dogs and wolves.
- It is possible to predict the very high degree of sequence homology between dogs and wolves since wolves are ancestors of modern dogs, indicating that dogs have evolved over time from wolves.
- Compared to species that are far apart on the evolutionary tree where common DNA sequences are far lower, near common ancestors would have more DNA sequences that match.
Hence the high degree of homology in the DNA of dogs and wolves is correctly described as “dogs and wolves share a very recent common ancestor” is a true statement.

The correct Answer is option (A) True.

Note: The dog was the first mammal and the only large carnivore to have been domesticated and is a member of the wolf-like canids. Genetic studies indicate that dogs and modern wolves demonstrate mutual monophyly (separate groups), suggesting that dogs are not genetically close to any living wolf population and that the dog's wild ancestor is extinct.