What is a molecular clock?

A) a method used to determine time based on base pair substitutions
B) a method to deduce divergence time between lineages in a phylogeny
C) a method that can be calibrated with other markers of time, like fossils with known ages
D) all of the above

Molecular Clock

A technique in molecular evolution that uses mutation rates of biomolecules to deduce the time in prehistory when two or more life forms diverged.

Base Pair Substitutions

Mutations that occur when one nucleotide base pair is replaced by another pair, which can lead to changes in the protein produced.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms, illustrating how species have diverged and evolved from common ancestors.