Scientists examine fossils from three different animals. They determine that all three animals share similar structures and record their observations as follows:

Question

Animal A and animal B have somewhat similar structures.
Animal A and animal C have very similar structures.
Animal B and animal C have very similar structures.
The scientists use the similarities to determine the order in which the fossils should appear in the fossil record. Based on the scientists’ observations, which order is the most reasonable?

(1 point)
Responses

B, A, C
B, A, C

A, C, B
A, C, B

A, B, C
A, B, C

C, B, A

Answer 1

Based on the observations provided:

• Animal A and Animal B have somewhat similar structures.
• Animal A and Animal C have very similar structures.
• Animal B and Animal C have very similar structures.

From this, it can be inferred that Animal C is more closely related to both A and B than A is to B. In evolutionary terms, this suggests that Animal C is likely to be a more recent common ancestor or closely related to both A and B.

Given these relationships, a reasonable order in the fossil record based on increasing similarity would be:

C, B, A

This suggests that C is an earlier ancestor, followed by B, and finally A which diverged later.

The most correct answer from the options provided would be:

C, B, A