Evidence for Evolution

A change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information

• mutation

• fitness

• transformation

An inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival

• adaptation

• evolution

• fitness

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

Which rock layer contains the newest fossils?

• F
• E
• B
• C

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Please select all correct answers that apply, based on the cladogram shown

• Sharks and Primates do not have a common ancestor.

• Crocodiles and Amphibians are more closely related than Birds and Sharks.

• Rodents and Rabbits do have Eggs with Shells.

• Sharks have more of the traits shown than of all of the other organisms.

• Birds have all of the shown traits that Sharks have, but Sharks do not have all of the shown traits that Birds have.

In the table shown, the DNA found in five primate species was compared to the DNA found in humans. The number of sequence differences was recorded. Based on the data in this table, what inference could you make about these species compared to humans?

• Lemurs are most like humans.

• Gorillas are most like humans.

• None of the species are similar to humans.

• Only the lemur differs from humans in any way.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Common ancestry relates to evolution because

• evolution only happens when there are common ancestors.
• Common ancestors make evolution happen more quickly.
• evolution can never take place with common ancestors.
• the more two organisms have in common, the more recent is their common ancestor during their evolution.

Various species show similar developmental patterns as embryos.

• DNA similarities

• Anatomical Homology

• Embryology

• All of the above

What happens to new traits that HELP organisms survive over time?

• They become MORE COMMON

• They become LESS COMMON

• They are EQUALLY COMMON