Topic 2: Evidence of Common Ancestry

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

• biogeography
• fossil record
• anatomical homology

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What are the different types of evidence for evolution?

• fossils

• DNA similarities

• similarities in embryos

• similarities in anatomy

• all of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Which statement is best supported by the observable structures of the different humerus

• The primates lived in similar environments.

• The primates shared a common ancestor.

• The primates interbreed with similar organisms in a population.

• The primates had diets that consisted of similar types of foods.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

In 2010, scientists excavated a skull fossil that provides evidence of a newly discovered species of big cat. Based on the evidence, scientists hypothesize that big cats branched off from smaller wild cats about 6 million years ago. Which of these resources did the scientists most likely rely on to form their hypothesis?

• A food web showing feeding relationships of organisms where the fossil skull was found

• Population and migration data for small wild cats living in the ecosystem where the skull was found

• The fossil record and DNA comparisons of big cats and small cats

• The historical record of interactions between different species of big cats

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The similarities among early stages of the embryos provide evidence that -

• these organisms evolved from a common ancestor
• the organisms all retained their gills and tails
• the organisms belong to the same species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Scientists have proved that body structures similar in their morphologies and anatomies are inherited from a common ancestor. Which organisms are most closely related?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Use the image that shows the forelimbs of four different animals to answer the question.

What evolutionary relationship do these organisms share?

• They originated in the same geographical region.

• They have similar methods of locomotion.

• They have similar feeding methods.

• They share a common ancestry.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The image shows the skeletal structures of a human arm and whale flipper.

Comparing the images, a student infers that both humans and whales evolved from a common ancestor. What evidence does the image provide to support the student’s conclusion?

• The arrangement of bones in both skeletal structures is similar.

• The function of bones in both skeletal structures is the same.

• The length of bones in both skeletal structures is the same.

• The shape of bones in both skeletal structures is similar.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2