Section 12.1 - Evaluating Evidence of Common Ancestry

Which evidence of common ancestry is being studied in this visual?

• biogeography
• fossil record
• anatomical homology
• molecular homology

Which evidence of common ancestry is being studied in this visual?

• biogeography
• fossil record
• anatomical homology

Which evidence of common ancestry is being studied in this visual?

• biogeography
• fossil record
• anatomical homology

Scientists compare the limbs of organisms to look for evidence of common ancestry. These limbs provide evidence of common ancestry because they -

• perform the same function
• are the same size
• have the same basic structure
• are parts of the same animal

Which evidence of common ancestry is being studied in this visual?

• developmental homology
• molecular homology
• anatomical homology

What conclusions can be made based on this table shown?

• the American black bear and the giant panda are most closely related
• the giant panda and the red panda are most closely related
• the red panda and the racoon are the most closely related

The Galapagos Islands, a small group of islands off the coast of Ecuador, is home to reptiles such as the giant tortoise and the iguana. The eastern islands are much older than the islands to the west.  Which statement about the origin of these reptiles is best supported by this information?

• The ancestor of each species came from different continents at different times.
• The common ancestors of the reptiles probably came from Equador.
• The common ancestor of each species evolved in Peru and came to the islands at the same time.

The picture shows the members of the Camelidae family. The physical features and the geographical origin of these animals provide evidence that - 

• they live in the same type of environment.
• have slowly evolved to become herbivores.
• have a common ancestor.
• exchanged DNA in the past.

Finding fossils of coral along a highway is evidence that

• the road was once underwater

• coral used to live on land

• in the past, the area was underwater

• coral was used to build the road

Fossils can be used to

• identify past environments

• identify past geologic events

• identify past climates

• all of the above