Evolutionary History

This living sea star and fossil sea urchin both have body structures that are formed along five lines. What best explains why both species have this five-lined body structure?

• The sea star and sea urchin are different species, so they must not share an ancestor population. They must have inherited this five-lined body structure from separate ancestor populations.

• The sea star and sea urchin both share the same ancestor population that had a five-lined body structure. They inherited this structure from the ancestor population.

• It is impossible to say. Fossils are very old; therefore, we cannot make observations of the sea urchins’ families, and we cannot explain their body structures.

• All species have their own specific body structures, so it is a coincidence that this sea star and sea urchin each have this specific type of five-lined body structure.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

• It is impossible to say without more information.

• The heron population wanted to be taller.

• Their environment must have changed.

• Organisms naturally become taller over time.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What does this diagram show?

• All three species share a common ancestor, but the African elephant and Sumatran tiger are more closely related to each other than they are to the rat.

• All three species share a common ancestor, but the Sumatran tiger and rat are more closely related to each other than they are to the African elephant.

• The Sumatran tiger, African elephant, and rat are not related and come from separate lines of evolutionary history.

• All three species share a common ancestor and are equally related to each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What does this diagram show?

• All three species share a common ancestor, but the spider and locust are more closely related to each other than they are to the octopus.

• All three species share a common ancestor, but the spider and octopus are more closely related to each other than they are to the locust.

• The three species are not related and come from separate lines of evolutionary history.

• All three species share a common ancestor and are equally related to one another.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

This fossil snake and this living rat both have a bone structure in their skulls called the quadrate bone. What best explains why both species have a quadrate bone?

• The snake and rat are different species, so they must not be related. They inherited the quadrate bone structure from separate ancestor populations.

• All species have their own specific body structures, so it is a coincidence that the snake and rat each happen to have the quadrate bone structure.

• The snake and rat both share the same ancestor population that had a quadrate bone. They inherited this structure from the ancestor population.

• It is impossible to say. Fossils are very old; therefore, we cannot make observations of the snake’s ancestors, and we cannot explain its body structures.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

An organism from which other organisms evolved

• ancestor

• diversity

• anatomy

• fossil record

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from a comparison of these structures?

• 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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of the following provides the best evidence that can be used to create this diagram?

• The habitats in which the animals live

• Competition between organisms for resources

• Similarities and differences in body structures

• Observations of interactions in the wild

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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 is best explained how?

• Whales have evolved this structure because it might be useful in the future.

• Whales are able to interbreed with other animals that have hips.

• Whales have a diet that includes other animals that have this structure.

• Whales share a common ancestor with animals that walk on land.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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.

• They inherited this structure from a common ancestor population.

• It is impossible to say

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2