Science Category Lesson

Which of these cases provides embryological evidence that two species share a common ancestor?

• two species with very similar DNA

• two species with different body structures

• two species with different structures that have similar functions

• two different species with similar patterns of early development

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Two species might have similar skeletal structures that have different functions. What do these types of structures suggest about the relationship between the two species?

• Common structures with different functions suggest that the species live in the same habitat.

• Common structures with different functions suggest that the species do not share a common ancestor.

• Common structures with different functions suggest that one of the species never learned how to use the structure properly.

• Common structures with different functions suggest that the species share a common ancestor that also had a similar structure.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Snakes have traces of leglike structures that are not used for movement. Which inference is supported by this fact?

• Snakes do not have ancestors.

• Snakes are an example of transitional fossils.

• Snakes share a common ancestor with animals that have legs.

• Snakes and animals that have legs are part of the same species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Tara is comparing the embryos of parrotfish and salamanders. Although the adult organisms look very different, the embryos follow similar developmental pathways. What does this suggest?

• that parrotfish and salamanders are found in the fossil record

• that parrotfish and salamanders have the same genetic makeup

• that parrotfish and salamanders likely share a common ancestor

• that parrotfish and salamanders use their organs for different functions

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Which of these is least likely to be used to infer evolutionary relationships?

• similarities in habitats

• similarities among embryos of organisms

• similarities at the genetic and molecular level

• similarities between living and fossilized organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

The table shows data about three types of mammals.

Based on the information in the table, which conclusion about the relatedness of these organisms is the most reasonable?

• The organisms share a common ancestor

• The organisms all belong to a different genus

• The organisms lack any shared genetic material

• The organisms all belong to the domain Archaea.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram shows a model of the proposed relationships between some groups of ancient and modern mammals.

How long ago did whales and pigs have a common ancestor?

• about 15 million years

• about 45 million years

• about 55 million years

• about 65 million years

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2