Ask a New Question
Menu

Which pattern emerged in horse evolution as scientists studied early horse fossils and modern horse bones?(1 point)

Responses

Early and intermediate horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), and modern horses have three foot bones (two small and one large).
Early and intermediate horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), and modern horses have three foot bones (two small and one large).

The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.
The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone.

The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).
The earliest horses had a single large foot bone, intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).

Early and intermediate horses had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have four foot bones (three small and one large).

I chose B

1 answer

It seems you've chosen option B, which states: "The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone."

However, this option is incorrect based on the understanding of horse evolution. The correct progression is as follows:

  • The earliest horses (like Eohippus) had multiple small toes (often described as having four toes on the front and three on the back).
  • Intermediate forms moved towards fewer toes, with modern horses (Equus) ending up with a single large foot bone (the cannon bone) that supports their weight.

The correct response would then be: "The earliest horses had four foot bones (three small and one large), intermediate forms had three foot bones (two small and one large), and modern horses have a single large foot bone."

Therefore, the option you should have chosen is the second one you presented.