Relationships and Biodiversity Lab

A valuable medicine is obtained from a certain rare species of plant. Scientists are anxious to find another more abundant species of plant that is closely related to the rare one, and also produces the medicine. Two newly discovered plant species, A and B, were studied and compared to the rare one. The results of the study are shown in the table below. Which procedure could also be carried out to help determine which newly discovered species is most closely related to the rare species?

• measurement of respiration rate in the plants

• chromatography of pigment extracts from the plants

• determination of the type of gas released by photosynthesis in the plants

• analysis of chemical bonds present in glucose in the plant

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

Scientists recently discovered that three different types of squid, a marine animal, previously thought to be three different species, were actually all members of one species. Their earlier ideas were based on using squid carcasses (dead bodies). The new, more accepted classification is most probably based on an analysis of

• a greater number of squid carcasses

• the feeding habits of the three different species

• a number of newly found squid fossils

• the DNA present in the cells of squid

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The diagram below represents evolutionary pathways of seven groups of organisms alive today.

Which two living species would be expected to have the most similar proteins?

• A and B

• B and C

• E and F

• H and M

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A plant was discovered that contained a compound that was found to have potential medicinal value. However, the plant is rare, so it is important to see if a related plant might also produce the same compound. The chart shows some characteristics of the plant and four possible relatives.

Which plant in the chart would be selected as most similar to the medicinal plant?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-6

The diagram below shows the evolutionary relationships among several types of mammals.

Which mammal would be most closely related to a hippopotamus?

• deer

• whale

• pig

• cow

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A laboratory setup that can be used to provide information about relationships between four plant species is represented below.

This setup is part of the technique known as

• electrophoresis

• biological staining

• dissection

• chromatograph

A rare tropical plant was found to have medicinal properties. A search was conducted to find other plants that are closely related to the rare plant. Which combination of characteristics would best identify the plant most closely related to the original one?

• shape of seeds, number of flower petals, leaf pigments

• number of flower petals, positive reaction to a specific enzyme

• leaf pigments, sequence of DNA bases, positive reaction to a specific enzyme

• presence of DNA bases, internal stem structure, shape of seeds

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

In addition to analyzing DNA, what other evidence could be used to best support the evolutionary relationship between species B and C?

• Species B and C live in the same ecosystem.

• Species B and C require the same amount of sunlight.

• Species B and C possess many of the same enzymes.

• Species B and C grow to the same maximum height as species A.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Which method is most effective for determining the evolutionary relationship between two plant species?

• Comparing leaf size and shape

• Analyzing the DNA sequences

• Observing the root growth patterns

• Examining the flower color

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

In a biodiversity lab, students are asked to determine the genetic similarity between two unknown plant samples. Which tool would be most appropriate for this task?

• Microscope

• DNA sequencer

• pH meter

• Thermometer