Amplify Evolutionary History Unit

an older population from which two or more newer species descended

• descendant species

• paleontologist

• common ancestor population

• shared structure

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Two students were challenged with taking imaginary species and placing them on an evolutionary tree. Their models are shown below. Inspect the models and then answer the questions.

Which model do you think is correct?

• 
• 
• Neither

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

the process by which one population evolves into two or more different species

• paleontologist

• speciation

• descendant species

• species

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

a body structure in two or more species that features the same parts

• shared structure

• speciation

• species

• ancestor population

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

a scientist who studies fossils in order to understand the ancient history of life on Earth

• descendant species

• shared structure

• paleontologist

• speciation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Why would two different species share similar structures?

• Mutations randomly occur throughout generations.

• Both species share a common ancestor population.

• Structures randomly appear over time.

• All of the above.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which populations' structure would be most similar to the common ancestor population?

• A and B

• A and C

• B and D

• C and D

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

A fossil turtle and a living hawk both have a structure in their neck called the atlas bone. What best explains why both species have an atlas bone?

• They inherited this structure from separate ancestor populations.

• It is impossible to say.

• They inherited this structure from a common ancestor population.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Penguins, Pigeons, and Hummingbirds have similarities and differences in their body structures. What does the information about these structures tell you about the ancestors of these species?

• Pigeons and Hummingbirds share an ancestor population, but they must not share an ancestor with the Penguins because Pigeons and Hummingbirds have skeletons made of cartilage, but Penguins have hollowed bones.

• We cannot make observations of ancestor populations from the past. It is impossible to explain ancestors with only the information about the body structures of different species.

• None share an ancestor population because different species cannot share an ancestor population. It is a coincidence that these species have some of the same body structures.

• All three species share an ancestor population, but Pigeons and Hummingbirds share a more recent ancestor population. This is why they share the live birth structure.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which group of descendant species is most likely to have body structures that are the most different from the ancestor population?

• Descendant species 1 and 2

• Descendant species A, B, C, and D

• The ancestor population

• It's impossible to say.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2