Question
Scientists examine fossils from three different animals. They determine that all three animals share similar structures and conclude that animal A comes earliest in the fossil record, animal C comes latest in the fossil record, and animal B comes somewhere in between. Which set of observations best supports this conclusion?(1 point)
Responses
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have slightly similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.
Responses
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have slightly similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have very similar structures, and animals B and C have slightly similar structures.
Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have slightly similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To support the conclusion that animal A comes earliest in the fossil record, animal C comes latest, and animal B is in between, the set of observations must reflect a pattern of evolutionary relationships indicating that A is the most primitive (earliest) and C is the most derived (latest), with B showing characteristics that are intermediate between A and C.
The best set of observations from the options provided would be:
**Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have slightly similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.**
This indicates that A is more similar to B (supporting the idea that A is an earlier ancestor), while B has developed traits that are also shared with C (suggesting a progression in evolutionary development), while A and C being slightly similar implies A’s earlier and less derived status compared to C. This would effectively support the conclusions about their order in the fossil record.
The best set of observations from the options provided would be:
**Animals A and B have very similar structures, animals A and C have slightly similar structures, and animals B and C have very similar structures.**
This indicates that A is more similar to B (supporting the idea that A is an earlier ancestor), while B has developed traits that are also shared with C (suggesting a progression in evolutionary development), while A and C being slightly similar implies A’s earlier and less derived status compared to C. This would effectively support the conclusions about their order in the fossil record.