Molecular evidence suggests that fungi:

• A. share a most recent common ancestor with green algae
• B. are the earliest diverging group within Eukarya
• C. are more closely related to animals than to plants
• D. evolved directly from prokaryotic bacteria

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the evolutionary relationships among major groups of organisms, focusing on fungi, plants, animals, and prokaryotes.
2. Recall that molecular evidence, such as DNA and protein sequence comparisons, helps determine how closely related different groups are by identifying common ancestors.
3. Recognize that fungi and animals share a more recent common ancestor compared to fungi and plants, based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
4. Note that fungi are eukaryotes and did not evolve directly from prokaryotic bacteria, but rather share a common eukaryotic ancestor with other groups.
5. Conclude that the statement 'fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants' is supported by molecular evidence, reflecting their evolutionary relationship.