Asked by ve
Look at the sketches. The sketch on the top is of a fish embryo, and the sketch on the bottom is of a chicken embryo.
Which of the following statements is the best explanation for why the embryos look so similar, considering how different an adult fish and chicken are?
Fish and chickens both need gills.
Fish and chickens are both mammals.
Fish and chickens share a common ancestor.
A fish embryo and a pig embryo.
All Answers 1
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Correct answer: Fish and chickens share a common ancestor.
Explanation: Early embryos of vertebrates follow a conserved developmental program inherited from a common ancestor, so they look similar even though adults are different. Embryos show homologous structures (e.g., pharyngeal arches/gill pouches) that are modified for different functions in adults. The other choices are incorrect: chickens are not mammals, and chickens don’t need gills—the embryonic gill-like structures are ancestral remnants, not functioning gills.
Explanation: Early embryos of vertebrates follow a conserved developmental program inherited from a common ancestor, so they look similar even though adults are different. Embryos show homologous structures (e.g., pharyngeal arches/gill pouches) that are modified for different functions in adults. The other choices are incorrect: chickens are not mammals, and chickens don’t need gills—the embryonic gill-like structures are ancestral remnants, not functioning gills.
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