Question

is it possible that two prokaryotic organisms show phenotypic similarities, but do not share close evolutionary relatedness? Explain your answer

Answer 1

Phenotype is the term used in genetics for the composite observable characteristics or traits of an organism. The term covers the organism's morphology or physical form and structure, its developmental processes, its biochemical and physiological properties, its behavior, and the products of behavior. Phenotypic relationships or phenotypic similarities mean that they have the same outward appearance genes in both prokaryotic organisms (such as bacteria). If these organisms have phenotypic similarities, it means that they have similar genes that produce these phenotypes, ie at the molecular level they have very closely related DNA. But the ability of bacteria to absorb DNA from their environment makes them quite able to integrate genes from other bacteria around them. Therefore, in such rare cases, the two prokaryotic organisms have similar phenotypic similarities but do not share evolutionary relationships.