Question

radual genetic development is often represented as a tree similar to the one shown in the diagram. This diagram suggests that a speciation is a predictable event that happens every few years. b only the most well-adapted organisms will survive. c different groups of organisms may have similar characteristics because of common ancestry. d biochemical differences show that no two organisms could ever have had a common ancestor.

Answer 1

The statement that best aligns with the idea of gradual genetic development and speciation represented as a tree is:

c) different groups of organisms may have similar characteristics because of common ancestry.

This aligns with the concept of evolutionary biology, where organisms that share a common ancestor may exhibit similar traits due to their shared evolutionary history. The tree diagram commonly represents how species diverge from common ancestors over time, leading to the variation and similarities observed in different lineages.