Vestigial

I am a body part that has lost its original function over time. Although I don't serve a purpose, I remain as a reminder of our evolutionary history. What am I?

• Appendix

• Gallbladder

• Wisdom teeth

• Tailbone

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

How do homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures support the concept of common ancestry and the theory of evolution?

• By showing how species can adapt to different environments

• By indicating how species have evolved from common ancestors

• By demonstrating the role of genetic mutations in evolution

• By proving that evolution does not occur

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Imagine you are a scientist studying different animal species. How would you use the knowledge of homologous, analogous, and vestigial structures to determine the evolutionary relationships between these species?

• By comparing the DNA sequences of the species

• By observing the behavior of the species in their natural habitat

• By analyzing the physical structures and their functions to infer common ancestry

• By measuring the geographical distances between the habitats of the species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of the following structures provides evidence for the theory of evolution?

• Homologous structures

• Analogous structures

• Vestigial structures

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of the following structures provide evidence for the theory of evolution and the concept of common ancestry?

• Homologous structures

• Analogous structures

• Vestigial structures

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

An anatomical feature that no longer has a purpose in an organism

• Homologous structure

• Analogous structure

• Vestigial structure

• None of the above

Whales all have a reduced pelvic girdle (pelvis) where limbs previously attached but are no longer needed. What type of structure is this?

• homologous

• analogous

• vestigial

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A structure that does not currently have any purpose in an organism is a...

• vestigial structure

• random mutation

• homologous structure

• analogous structure

Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure in humans?

• Appendix

• Liver

• Heart

• Kidney

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What does the presence of vestigial structures in an organism suggest about its evolutionary history?

• It has not evolved at all

• It has evolved from ancestors with functional versions of those structures

• It has evolved independently without any ancestral influence

• It has evolved to become more complex

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2