Evidence of Ancestral Relationships

A specific trait that is used to construct a cladogram is called a...

• derived character

• clade

• structural feature

• taxon

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Based on the cladogram, the ancestral species most likely had...

• a vertebral column

• a vertebral column and hair

• sharp teeth and retractable claws

• ability to purr

Answer explanation

Ancestral = oldest species that gives rise to the rest of the species. The ancestral species would lie to the far left, where only the vertebral column is.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Reorder the following species from oldest to youngest.

• wolf

• tiger

• house cat

• turtle

• horse

Reorder the following traits from oldest to youngest.

• four limbs

• vertebral column

• sharp teeth

• hair

• retractable claws

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

When multiple transitional fossils are found in many rock layers, they provide evidence of -

• seasonal variation in the diet of a species

• gradual change of a species over time

• DNA functioning as the genetic material of organisms

• an unchanging environment

Answer explanation

transitional = CHANGE. Look for the answer choice talkig about change occurring.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A scientist described two modern-day species as sharing a common ancestor. What does it mean when two species share a common ancestor/

• It means that the two species are actually the same species

• It means that one of the species evolved from other species

• It means that both species evolved from one species that lived in the past.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of these statements is MOST LIKELY true of two species that share a recent common ancestor?

• The two species have different developmental patterns

• The two species share DNA sequences

• The two species have similar arms and legs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Jonah's science class is examining different rocks. Jonah finds the rock shown below. What can Jonah see on this rock?

• DNA

• Fossil

• organism that died recently

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Alex is studying leg bone fossils of an extinct species to see if the extinct organism could be an ancestor of a certain living species. Which of the following types of evidence could he obtain from studying fossils?

• genetic evidence

• embryological evidence

• structural evidence

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of these best describes the tiny leg bones that some whales have, which do not aid in their movement or serve any other function?

• structures that grows and improved in function as they are used

• structures that function at certain times of the year or under certain conditions

• structures that may have been useful for ancestral species, but are reduced in size and have little or no function in a living species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2