Evidence of Common Ancestry

Which of the following was common in each of the fossil findings below?

-Mesonychids

-Pakicetus

-Ambulocetus

-Rodhocetus

-Basilosaurus

-Zygorhizia

• pelvic bone

• whale teeth and whale earbone

• short legs

• nostril between eyes and nose

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

When something is similar in function to something else, we refer to it as ___________.

• vestigial

• homologous

• extinct

• dormant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

If something continues to exist without retaining its original function, it is considered to be ___________.

• vestigial

• homologous

• useful

• extinct

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Evolution occurs as organisms ___________.

• are buried in sediment

• obtain structures that they no longer use

• are carbonized

• adapt to their environments

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The human hemoglobin molecule contains a chain of 146 amino acids. The chart below shows how many amino acids in other animal hemoglobin differ from the human hemoglobin. Based on this evidence alone, to what animal are humans more closely related?

• Rhesus monkey

• Mouse

• Chicken

• Frog

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A paleontologist uncovers a series of fossils in a piece of rock.

-Fossil A was found 1 meter deep.

-Fossil B was found 3 meters deep.

-Fossil C was found 4 meters deep.

-Fossil D was found 10 meters deep.

Which fossil is the oldest?

• Fossil A

• Fossil B

• Fossil C

• Fossil D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What can we conclude from the similarities in the baleen whale and hummingbird skeletons?

• The whale could fly at one time.

• The hummingbird could once swim.

• Both animals evolved from a common ancestor.

• There is nothing to conclude because they are so different.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Chicks and humans both have gill slits during development. What does this tell us about chicks and humans?

• Their embryos use gills to breathe during development.

• They both evolved from a common ancestor who had gills.

• Chicks are able to breathe underwater.

• They evolved from different ancestors.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Which of the following increases the probability that an animal will transform into a fossil after it dies?

• The animal dies on a forest floor.

• The animal is buried in sediment on the bottom of a river.

• The animal is immediately eaten by a predator.

• The animal dies in a field in the middle of the summer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which statement can be best supported by the pictures of the embryos.

• Chickens are more closely related to tortoises than rabbits are.

• Rabbits, chickens, tortoises, and fish are all equally related to each another.

• Fish do NOT share a common ancestor with other vertebrates.

• Fish and chicken are the least closely related.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-3