Final answer:
Scientists analyze DNA and amino acid sequences to find a quantitative way to organize evolutionary ancestry. Comparing nucleotide or amino acid sequences can provide insight into evolutionary relationships and estimate the time since species shared a common ancestor.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to find a quantitative way to organize evolutionary ancestry, scientists analyze the DNA and amino acid sequences of different species. These sequences can reveal similarities or differences between species, providing insight into their evolutionary relationships.
By comparing the nucleotide sequences of genes or the amino acid sequences of proteins, scientists can estimate the evolutionary distance between two species and determine how long ago they shared a common ancestor. The process involves obtaining the sequences of interest and comparing them to existing sequences in databases. Sophisticated computer analysis programs are used to align and analyze the sequences, helping to build phylogenetic trees and refine models of evolutionary history.