Common Ancestors

The diagram provided is a phylogenetic tree. It shows how groups of organisms are related through a shared evolutionary history. The fossil's remains of a creature that is the common ancestor of amphibians, primates, rodents, crocodiles, and birds is discovered. This fossil represents an organism represented by which labeled location on the diagram?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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Evolutionary theory predicts that related organisms will share similarities that are derived from common ancestors. Which of the following CANNOT be concluded from the fossil evidence?

• The chronological sequence in which different organisms first appeared.

• Evidence of every species that has ever existed

• Links between groups leading to various modern species

• Relation through common descent from older organisms

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Lily is comparing the bones of the forelimbs (wing or arm) of three animals. An illustration of the three is shown. Even though birds and bats both have wings, the skeletal structure is more similar between bats and humans. What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from these observations?

• Birds and bats are closely related to each other, while humans are unrelated to both.

• The common ancestor of birds and bats must have had wings and flown.

• Humans live in habitats very different from the habitats of both birds and bats.

• Humans and bats share a closer evolutionary history with each other than with birds.

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José is learning about the fossil record. He knows the fossil record is the total number of fossils and their locations and that they provide information about an organism that once lived. Which of the following can José gather from studying the fossil record and its evidence?

• Similarities between past and present species

• How organisms will evolve in the future

• Every plant and animal species that has ever lived

• Origin of species and life on the planet

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Over the evolutionary history of a certain kind of fish, the trend is an increasing number of teeth. The data tables provides information for several examples.A fossil of a new species of this type of fish (W. amateguorumis discovered. The complete fossil skeleton is found, and it has 34 teeth. The most reasonable estimation for the age of this fossil would be which of the following?

• About 20 million years old

• About 30 million years old

• About 70 millions years old

• About 100 millions years old

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The phylogenetic tree is one tool used to show how varying species may have evolved over time. A phylogenetic tree diagram is provided. A fossil that shares a common ancestor with birds and crocodiles, but not primates, would belong in which labeled location on the diagram?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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Which of the following best describes how observation of the fossil record supports the theory of evolution?

• Hard parts of animals, such as bone and teeth, are much more likely to become fossilized than other parts made of soft tissue.

• The fossils found in rock layers of different ages are related to, but different from, fossils found in rock layers above and below.

• The fossil record has many more examples of organisms that lived in the water where their remains were more likely to be buried quickly.

• Close examination of fossils can reveal details and the diet, environment, and even behaviors of the organisms the fossils represent.

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Anatomical similarities and differences between various organisms allow us to reconstruct and infer evolutionary history and descent. The bones of the forelimbs (wing or arm) of three animals are shown in the illustration. Which of the following is NOT a reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from the similarities and differences found in this illustration?

• Birds, bats, and humans have bones and structures that allow them to function.

• Different structures allow for different functions.

• Humans live in habitats that are very different from that of birds and bats.

• Humans and bats share a closer evolutionary history with each other than with birds.

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Whales, which live in the water, have hips. These structures are important for carrying the weight of animals that walk on land. Finding this body part in animals that don’t walk on land would lead us to predict what finding in the fossil record?

• Hips in ancient animals that always lived in water

• Land-dwelling animals that don't have hips

• A form of whale that lacked this structure

• An ancestor of whales that walked on land

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Marcus and Jessica are learning what kinds of information can be gathered from the fossil record. Which of the following does NOT describe how observation of the fossil record supports the theory of evolution?

• Hard parts of animals, such as bone and teeth, are much more likely to become fossilized than other parts made of soft tissue.

• The fossils found in rock layers of different ages are related to, but different from, fossils found in rock layers about and below.

• The fossil record consists of links that provide evidence that some groups have a shared history, such as the shared history between fish and reptiles or reptiles and birds.

• A trilobite fossil shows structural similarities between modern species of the horseshoe crab, suggesting the horseshoe crab is a descendant of the trilobite.

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