Category 3 Evolution and Taxonomy

Homologous structures are defined as anatomical structures originating from the same structure in ancestral form. For instance, a bird's wing and the front flippers of a seal are examples of homologous structures. Which of the following does the presence of homologous structures in vertebrates suggest?

• All vertebrates developed at the same rate.

• All vertebrates developed internally.

• All vertebrates evolved from different animals.

• All vertebrates have a common ancestor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The position and shape of the bones in the forelimbs of four present-day vertebrates were studied. Two of the organisms seemed to be more closely related to each other than to the other vertebrates. This relationship was most likely based on evidence using the field of —

• comparative anatomy

• DNA sequences

• biochemistry

• fossil record

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Each labeled area of this diagram represents organisms in a taxonomic level. In this diagram, level A represents marine mammals. The area of the diagram labeled B most likely represents which of the following taxonomic levels?

• fish

• mammals

• invertebrates

• primates

Scientists compared the fossil remains of a species that lived 5,000 years ago to members of the same species living today. Scientists concluded that the species changed very little over this period of time. Which statement best accounts for this lack of change?

• The environment did not change significantly, and those offspring expressing new characteristics survived their natural enemies.

• The environment changed significantly, but the species had no natural enemies for a long period of time.

• The environment did not change significantly, and those offspring expressing new characteristics did not survive.

• The environment changed significantly, and those offspring without favorable characteristics did not survive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Scientists can determine relatedness among organisms by comparing partial amino acid sequences. The table shows four partial amino acid sequences from four organisms. Which organism is the LEAST related to the other three organisms?

• Organism 1

• Organism 2

• Organism 3

• Organism 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A student used a microscope to study four members of the phylum Ciliophora. Members of this phylum move when propelled by hundreds of tiny cilia. Although these organisms belong to the same phylum, they are classified as different —

• families

• species

• kingdoms

• orders

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which list correctly identifies characteristics that protists share with animals?

• F

• G

• H

• J

The diagram shows light- and dark-colored beetles that live on a tree. Which result is most likely to occur to the beetle population due to predation over time?

• The number of light-colored beetles in the population will increase.

• There will be more dark-colored beetles than light-colored beetles.

• The number of light-colored beetles will decrease.

• The dark-colored beetles will move to a different type of tree.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The image shows part of the humerus bone in different genera of primates. Which statement is best supported by the observable structures of the different humerus

bones?

• The primates lived in similar environments

• The primates shared a common ancestor.

• The primates interbreed with similar organisms in a population.

• The primates had diets that consisted of similar types of foods.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A cladogram is shown below.
All the animals to the right of the hagfish would have the common characteristic of -

• Fur
• claws or nails
• lungs
• jaws

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2