Evolution

Use the provided evidence to identify which species is most closely related to humans.

• horse

• gorilla

• chimpanzee

• zebra

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Similarities are found between embryos of a chicken, lizard, human, and pig.

What does this observation suggest?

• They all have similar components in their blood.

• They maintain similar number of chromosomes.

• They have similar habitat requirements.

• They share a common ancestor.

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Leopards, lions, tigers, and jaguars are classified in the same genus (one step above species).

Which evidence best explains why these organisms are classified together?

• Scientists observe that all four are able to roar.

• A cellular analysis reveals all four have DNA.

• They are carnivores and possess a high number of anatomical similarities.

• A genetic comparison of their mitochondrial DNA reveals a high percentage of similarities.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Bats and birds are only very distantly related, and both evolved wings for flight in very different evolutionary pathways.

What is the term that describes the wing structures that these species evolved?

• analogous structures

• divergent structures

• embryonic structures

• homologous structures

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A scientist found a fossil of an early primate. A close examination of the fossil revealed that the organism once walked on two legs and had a large and complex brain.

Which additional step would provide the scientist with information to trace the evolutionary history of the fossil?

• Determine the chemical composition of the rock in which the primate fossil was found.

• Compare DNA sequences of the fossil with that of other primates.

• Study the physiological processes in early primates and humans.

• Understand the interactions of primates with other organisms of that time.

Use the cladogram to answer the question.

Which plant group was the first to diverge in the lineage?

• angiosperms

• ferns

• gymnosperms

• mosses

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Use the cladogram to answer the question.

Which organism is most closely related to the salamander?

• chimpanzee

• lamprey

• lizard

• mouse

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Use the dendrogram to answer the question.

What can be concluded about the evolution of land plants?

• Angiosperms are more closely related to seedless vascular plants than gymnosperms.

• Gymnosperms and angiosperms are least evolved among land plants.

• Seedless vascular plants evolved before gymnosperms and angiosperms.

• Nonvascular plants and seedless plants evolved at the same time.

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Certain structural adaptations are among members of a population are passed on to future generations while others are not.

What is the most likely explanation?

• The adaptations passed on are environmental changes and are favorable for the species' survival in that current environment.

• The adaptations passed on are genetic changes and are favorable for the species' survival in that current environment.

• The adaptations passed on are environmental changes and are unfavorable for the species' survival in that current environment.

• The adaptations passed on are genetic changes and are unfavorable for the species' survival in that current environment.

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NGSS.HS-LS4-2

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Different members of the same species are geographically isolated for many generations.

What will most likely happen to the populations?

• Each population will evolve different traits influenced by their specific environments.

• Random genetic recombination will ensure that the two populations evolve in a similar manner.

• The two populations will evolve the same future traits because they are starting with similar genetic material.

• One of the populations will fail to evolve because it was removed from its natural environment.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

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