STEMscopes : Evolutionary History and Relationships

The bones of the forelimbs (wing or arm) of three animals are shown in the illustration.

What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from a comparison of these structures?

• Birds and bats are closely related to each other while humans are unrelated to both.

• The common ancestor of birds and bats must have had wings and flown.

• Humans live in habitats very different from the habitats of both birds and bats.

• Humans and bats share a closer evolutionary history with each other than with birds.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram provided here is a phylogenetic tree. It shows how groups of organisms are related through a shared evolutionary history.

Which of the following provides the best evidence that can be used to create this diagram?

• The habitats in which the animals live

• Competition between organisms for resources

• Similarities and differences in body structures

• Observations of interactions in the wild

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Whales, which live in the water, have hips. These structures are important for carrying the weight of animals that walk on land.

Finding this body part in animals that don’t walk on land is best explained how?

• Whales have evolved this structure because it might be useful in the future.

• Whales are able to interbreed with other animals that have hips.

• Whales have a diet that includes other animals that have this structure.

• Whales share a common ancestor with animals that walk on land.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram provided here is a phylogenetic tree. It shows how groups of organisms are related through a shared evolutionary history. The nodes on the diagram show the shared characteristics that link the related groups of animals. Two of the nodes are labeled with the correct characteristics.

Which of the nodes should be labeled “body hair"?

• Node A

• Node B

• Node C

• Node D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The table shows characteristics of the structures of several related groups of plants.

All of these plant types are related in their evolutionary history to a common ancestor that had what characteristic?

• A transport system made of xylem and phloem

• Seeds that were covered

• Leaves with branching veins

• Leaves with parallel veins

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2