Amplify Evolutionary History Chapter 2

This locust, this jumping spider, and this Roman snail have similarities and differences in their body structures. What does the information about these structures tell you about the ancestors of these species?

• All three species share an ancestor population, but locusts and jumping spiders share a more recent ancestor population. This is why they share the exoskeleton structure. 

• 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.

• Locusts and jumping spiders share an ancestor population, but they must not share an ancestor with Roman snails because Roman snails have a shell.

• 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.

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This red-eared slider, this greater flamingo, and this siamang have similarities and differences in their body structures. What does the information about these structures tell you about the ancestors of these species?

• The red-eared slider and the greater flamingo share an ancestor population, but they must not share an ancestor with the siamang because red-eared sliders and greater flamingos lay eggs, but siamangs give live birth.

• All three species share an ancestor population, but the red-eared slider and the greater flamingo share a more recent ancestor population. This is why they share the egg-laying structure.

• 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.

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The body structures for a population of green herons (a species of bird that lives near water) were stable for a long time. Then, their body structures changed to make the green herons taller. Why did this happen?

• It is impossible to say without more information.

• The green heron population wanted to be taller.

• Their environment must have changed.

• Organisms naturally become taller over time.

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The body structures for a population of chimpanzees were stable for a long time. Then, their body structures changed, making the chimpanzees stronger. Why did this happen?

• Organisms naturally become stronger over time.

• It is impossible to say without more information.

• The chimpanzee population wanted to be stronger.

• Their environment must have changed.

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Do you think the two species have a common ancestor?

• NO

• YES

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Which species (H, I, or K) is the closest relative to Species J?

• Species H

• Species I

• Species K

• Neither

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The body structures for a population of chimpanzees were stable for a long time. Then, their body structures changed, making the chimpanzees stronger. Why did this happen?

• Organisms naturally become stronger over time.

• It is impossible to say without more information.

• The chimpanzee population wanted to be stronger.

• Their environment must have changed.

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an older population from which two or more newer species descended

• descendant species

• paleontologist

• common ancestor population

• shared structure

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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

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Imagine a population of frogs that live in the forest. The frogs have a green coloring on top that helps them blend into the forest so they are not noticed by predators.

Imagine that half of this population stayed in the forest and the other half of the population moved to the hills above the forest, which are drier, with some brown grass and brown soil.

Which population of frogs is likely to have more changes after many generations?

• Descendant Species 1: The frogs in the brown hills.

• Descendant Species 2: The frogs in the green forest.

• Neither.

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