Evolution: Evidence of Common Ancestors

Based on the organism skulls, which organisms share the most recent common ancestor?

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​Select the two correct answers.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which fossil shows a skull for an organism that is most likely the ancestor for the organisms selected in the first question?

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

By looking at the genes of some animals we can determine which living species are most closely related to each other. This also reveals which species most recently diverged from their common ancestor.

Based on the partial gene segments shown, which pair of animals are genetically most closely related and therefore most recently diverged from their common ancestor?

• Chimpanzee and Mouse

• Rat and Mouse

• Rat and Chimpanzee

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Choose the image of embryological development that occurs directly after the first picture in the image in order to complete the diagram of the developing organism.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-4

Choose the image of embryological development that occurs directly before the last picture in the image in order to complete the diagram of the developing organism.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-4

Based on the embryological development of four different species of organisms, which organism most likely shares the closest evolutionary relationship to the organism pictured?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Of the following anatomical structures, which are homologous to the wing of a bat?

• the tail of a kangaroo

• the flipper of a whale

• the wing of a butterfly

• the arm of a human

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Images of the embryo and adult stages of three different organisms are shown.

Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be drawn from this evidence?

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms eat the same types of food.

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms live in a similar environment.

• Having similar embryos indicates that these organisms share a recent common ancestor.

• Having similar embryos indicates that a certain protein controls how many legs the adult organisms will have.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Whales have pelvic (hip) bones, even though they don't have legs. These are called vestigial structures - bones or other structures that aren't useful but are still there. What do whales' pelvic bones suggest?

• That whales are related to sharks

• That one whale was born without legs and now no whales have legs

• That whales have an ancestor that had legs

• That pelvic bones have no purpose in any animal

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What can be used as evidence for evolution? (select all that apply).

• Any common function of structures between species (i.e. birds and insects both have wings)

• Body parts of different species that are similar in structure and location.

• Similarities of embryos from different species.

• Fossil records showing structures and locations of species.

• Structures in modern species that are unused and unnecessary, but were used by past species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1