Common Ancestry and Evolution Practice

Front

What does the similarity between turtle and chicken embryos suggest about their evolutionary relationship?

Back

The chicken and the turtle share a common ancestor.

Front

What is the significance of the most recent common ancestor in evolutionary biology?

Back

It represents the last point in time when two species diverged from a shared lineage.

Front

What is the best evidence that two species share a recent common ancestor?

Back

The species have similar DNA sequences.

Front

How does cytochrome c protein provide evidence for common ancestry?

Back

The information for making proteins is found in the DNA, and similarities in cytochrome c can indicate evolutionary relationships.

Front

How can scientists determine evolutionary relationships using amino acid sequences?

Back

By comparing the amino acid sequences in proteins, scientists can infer how closely related different species are.

Front

What is a common ancestor?

Back

A common ancestor is an organism from which two or more species have evolved.

Front

What role does DNA play in determining evolutionary relationships?

Back

DNA contains the genetic information that can show similarities and differences between species, indicating their evolutionary paths.

Front

What is the significance of homologous structures in evolution?

Back

Homologous structures indicate common ancestry, as they show similar forms that have evolved differently in various species.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Back

Homologous structures arise from a common ancestor, while analogous structures arise independently in different species due to similar environmental pressures.

Front

What is the concept of descent with modification?

Back

Descent with modification is the principle that species evolve over time, with changes passed down from ancestors to descendants.