Question
Scientists have observed that many animals share similar bone structures in their front limbs as shown below.
What would scientists be able to infer from this observation?
a
These animals live in similar environments, so they have evolved to have similar bone structures.
b
The animals share a common ancestor and have evolved to fit the different environments in which they live.
c
These animals have identical DNA sequences, so their bone structures are very similar as well.
d
These animals have the same bone structures in their front limbs because the structures serve the same function in each animal.
What would scientists be able to infer from this observation?
a
These animals live in similar environments, so they have evolved to have similar bone structures.
b
The animals share a common ancestor and have evolved to fit the different environments in which they live.
c
These animals have identical DNA sequences, so their bone structures are very similar as well.
d
These animals have the same bone structures in their front limbs because the structures serve the same function in each animal.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The most appropriate inference from the observation that many animals share similar bone structures in their front limbs is:
**b. The animals share a common ancestor and have evolved to fit the different environments in which they live.**
This inference aligns with the principles of evolutionary biology, specifically the concept of homology, which suggests that similar structures in different species often arise from a common ancestor, even if the current functions of those structures differ due to adaptation to various environments.
**b. The animals share a common ancestor and have evolved to fit the different environments in which they live.**
This inference aligns with the principles of evolutionary biology, specifically the concept of homology, which suggests that similar structures in different species often arise from a common ancestor, even if the current functions of those structures differ due to adaptation to various environments.