Examine the amino acid sequences from three organisms (A, B, and C). Which two organisms are the most closely related?
Organism A: Val-Ser-Thr-Val
Organism B: Leu-Ala-Leu-Ala
Organism C: Val-Ser-Asp-Met
(1 point)
Responses
B & C
B & C
A & C
A & C
They are all equally related.
They are all equally related.
A & B
27 answers
To determine which two organisms are the most closely related based on their amino acid sequences, we can compare the sequences directly.
Organism A: Val-Ser-Thr-Val
Organism B: Leu-Ala-Leu-Ala
Organism C: Val-Ser-Asp-Met
Comparing the sequences:
A & B: No identical amino acids present. This suggests they are not closely related.
A & C: The first two amino acids (Val and Ser) are identical between Organism A and C. This similarity suggests a closer relationship.
B & C: No identical amino acids present. This suggests they are also not closely related.
Based on this analysis, Organism A and Organism C share two identical amino acids (Val and Ser), indicating that they are more closely related than either is to Organism B.
Answer: A & C
A scientist is attempting to build a cladogram that shows the evolutionary closeness of three organisms in relation to humans. After doing DNA analysis, they determine that the organisms share the following percentages of DNA:
Organism A and humans share 85% of their DNA.
Organism B and humans share 80% of their DNA.
Organism C and humans share 90% of their DNA.
Based on this information, which order should they go on the cladogram (from least related to most related)?
(1 point)
Responses
C, A, B, humans
C, A, B, humans
B, A, C, humans
B, A, C, humans
A, B, C, humans
A, B, C, humans
C, B, A, humans
To determine the order of organisms in the cladogram from least related to most related to humans based on the percentage of DNA shared, we can compare the percentages given:
Organism A and humans share 85% of their DNA.
Organism B and humans share 80% of their DNA.
Organism C and humans share 90% of their DNA.
Based on these values, we can rank the organisms as follows:
Organism B (80%) - least related to humans.
Organism A (85%) - more related than B but less than C.
Organism C (90%) - most related to humans.
Therefore, the order from least related to most related is:
B, A, C, humans
Answer: B, A, C, humans
Look at the graph of different types of vertebrates. Which evidence would support the relationships shown on this graph?
(1 point)
Responses
Mammals have more genes in common with birds than with amphibians.
Mammals have more genes in common with birds than with amphibians.
Amphibians and mammals have similar traits that are not seen in reptiles and birds.
Amphibians and mammals have similar traits that are not seen in reptiles and birds.
Birds and amphibians have no similarities in their amino acid sequences.
Birds and amphibians have no similarities in their amino acid sequences.
Reptile embryos are similar to birds but have no similarities with mammals and amphibians.
Reptile embryos are similar to birds but have no similarities with mammals and amphibians.
To support the relationships shown on a graph of different types of vertebrates, we need to provide evidence that reflects genetic or anatomical similarities indicative of evolutionary relationships.
Option 1: "Mammals have more genes in common with birds than with amphibians." This suggests a closer evolutionary relationship between mammals and birds, which may not necessarily align with what is typically accepted in vertebrate classification (where mammals tend to be more closely related to other mammals rather than birds).
Option 2: "Amphibians and mammals have similar traits that are not seen in reptiles and birds." This indicates that amphibians and mammals share characteristics, supporting their closer evolutionary relationship compared to reptiles and birds.
Option 3: "Birds and amphibians have no similarities in their amino acid sequences." This does not support any relationship as it undermines potential similarities that could indicate a common ancestry.
Option 4: "Reptile embryos are similar to birds but have no similarities with mammals and amphibians." This suggests that reptiles and birds are more closely related than mammals or amphibians, which may align with common evolutionary perspectives.
Given these considerations, the best-supported evidence for the relationships in a vertebrate cladogram would be:
Amphibians and mammals have similar traits that are not seen in reptiles and birds.
This option highlights the shared characteristics between amphibians and mammals, which would support their closer relationship in an evolutionary context.
Answer: Amphibians and mammals have similar traits that are not seen in reptiles and birds.
A cladogram shows the evolutionary relationship between humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. The cladogram currently shows humans and chimpanzees with a more recent common ancestor compared to gorillas. Which piece of evidence, if true, would most likely weaken this hypothesis?(1 point)
Responses
Fossils of humans appear in deeper sedimentary rock layers compared to fossils of chimpanzees.
Fossils of humans appear in deeper sedimentary rock layers compared to fossils of chimpanzees.
Amino acid analysis of the cytochrome c protein shows significant differences in the sequence of amino acids between humans and gorillas.
Amino acid analysis of the cytochrome c protein shows significant differences in the sequence of amino acids between humans and gorillas.
DNA sequence analysis of the hemoglobin alpha gene shows that humans and chimpanzees have a more similar sequence to each other than they do to the gorilla’s DNA sequence.
DNA sequence analysis of the hemoglobin alpha gene shows that humans and chimpanzees have a more similar sequence to each other than they do to the gorilla’s DNA sequence.
The cells of the eye in embryos of gorillas and humans follow a similar pattern of development while chimpanzee embryos are different.
The cells of the eye in embryos of gorillas and humans follow a similar pattern of development while chimpanzee embryos are different.
To determine which piece of evidence would weaken the hypothesis that humans and chimpanzees have a more recent common ancestor compared to gorillas, we need to analyze each option:
Fossils of humans appear in deeper sedimentary rock layers compared to fossils of chimpanzees.
This suggests that humans may have appeared before chimpanzees in the fossil record, which could imply that humans do not share a recent common ancestor with chimpanzees, potentially weakening the hypothesis.
Amino acid analysis of the cytochrome c protein shows significant differences in the sequence of amino acids between humans and gorillas.
This implies that there are notable biological differences between humans and gorillas but does not directly address the relationship between humans and chimpanzees.
DNA sequence analysis of the hemoglobin alpha gene shows that humans and chimpanzees have a more similar sequence to each other than they do to the gorilla’s DNA sequence.
This supports the idea that humans and chimpanzees are more closely related, thus strengthening the hypothesis rather than weakening it.
The cells of the eye in embryos of gorillas and humans follow a similar pattern of development while chimpanzee embryos are different.
This could also suggest that humans and gorillas have a closer relationship in terms of development, but it does not necessarily negate the relationship between humans and chimpanzees.
Considering the analyses, the option that would most likely weaken the hypothesis that humans and chimpanzees have a more recent common ancestor compared to gorillas is:
Fossils of humans appear in deeper sedimentary rock layers compared to fossils of chimpanzees.
This implies an older evolutionary lineage for humans, suggesting a less recent common ancestry with chimpanzees compared to gorillas.
Answer: Fossils of humans appear in deeper sedimentary rock layers compared to fossils of chimpanzees.
The forelimbs of bats and humans have a very similar bone structure even though they appear very different on the outside. These structures are known as __________ because they result from species evolving __________.
Which of the following answer choices correctly completes the above statement?
(1 point)
Responses
homologies; from the same common ancestor
homologies; from the same common ancestor
homologies; similar adaptations in similar environments
homologies; similar adaptations in similar environments
analogies; from the same common ancestor
analogies; from the same common ancestor
analogies; similar adaptations in similar environments
The forelimbs of bats and humans exhibit similar bone structures but serve different functions and have adapted to different environments (flying for bats and manipulation for humans). These similarities in bone structure are an example of homologous structures because they share a common ancestry, despite their different functions in modern species.
Therefore, the correct completion of the statement is:
homologies; from the same common ancestor
Answer: homologies; from the same common ancestor
All vertebrate embryos have a tail and gill slits at some point during embryonic development. What does this suggest about vertebrates?(1 point)
Responses
These species evolved in similar environments.
These species evolved in similar environments.
These species share a common ancestor.
These species share a common ancestor.
These species have the exact same DNA sequence.
These species have the exact same DNA sequence.
The embryos of these species require these structures to survive.
The presence of a tail and gill slits in all vertebrate embryos during some stage of development suggests that these diverse species share a common evolutionary history. This indicates that they have evolved from a common ancestor that exhibited these embryonic features.
Thus, the correct statement is:
These species share a common ancestor.
Answer: These species share a common ancestor.
Fossil A is found closer to the surface compared to Fossil B. Which of the following conclusions can be made based on this statement?(1 point)
Responses
The species of Fossil A evolved from the species of Fossil B.
The species of Fossil A evolved from the species of Fossil B.
Fossil B is most likely older than Fossil A.
Fossil B is most likely older than Fossil A.
Fossil A is from an older species than Fossil B.
Fossil A is from an older species than Fossil B.
The species of Fossil A existed at the same time as the species of Fossil B.
In geology and paleontology, the relative position of fossils within rock layers can provide insight into their ages. Generally, fossils found closer to the surface of the earth are considered to be younger than those found deeper in the sedimentary layers.
Based on this understanding:
Since Fossil A is found closer to the surface compared to Fossil B, we can conclude that Fossil B is most likely older than Fossil A.
This conclusion follows the principle of superposition in stratigraphy, which states that in undeformed sedimentary rock layers, older layers are located below younger layers.
Answer: Fossil B is most likely older than Fossil A.
Vertebrate embryos all follow a very similar developmental process. Which statement could explain this similarity?(1 point)
Responses
All vertebrates live in similar environments which require the same adaptations.
All vertebrates live in similar environments which require the same adaptations.
All vertebrates require the same nutrients during embryological development.
All vertebrates require the same nutrients during embryological development.
All vertebrates inherit the same sequence of DNA from their parents.
All vertebrates inherit the same sequence of DNA from their parents.
All vertebrates develop a backbone that protects the spinal cord.
The similarity in the developmental processes of vertebrate embryos is best explained by the concept of common ancestry in evolution. All vertebrates share a common evolutionary origin, which means that they also share fundamental genetic and developmental programming.
Among the options provided, the statement that most accurately explains the similarity in the developmental processes of vertebrate embryos is:
All vertebrates inherit the same sequence of DNA from their parents.
This choice highlights that all vertebrates have similar genetic material inherited through evolution, which dictates the embryonic development processes observed across different vertebrate species.
Answer: All vertebrates inherit the same sequence of DNA from their parents.
What is the term for the remains, imprints, or traces of living things from a previous geological age?(1 point)
Responses
strata
strata
sedimentary rocks
sedimentary rocks
fossils
fossils
radioactive decay
The term for the remains, imprints, or traces of living things from a previous geological age is fossils.
Answer: fossils
Some mutations, or changes in the sequence of DNA, do not have any effect on the characteristics of the organism. Why is this?(1 point)
Responses
The mutated sequence still codes for the same amino acid.
The mutated sequence still codes for the same amino acid.
The immune system repairs the mutated sequence during development.
The immune system repairs the mutated sequence during development.
The protein built from this mutated sequence is deactivated by the cell.
The protein built from this mutated sequence is deactivated by the cell.
The cell recognizes mutations and ignores them when expressing the gene.
Some mutations do not have an effect on the characteristics of an organism because of the redundancy in the genetic code. Specifically, multiple codons can code for the same amino acid, so a mutation in the DNA sequence may still result in the same amino acid being incorporated into a protein.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
The mutated sequence still codes for the same amino acid.
Answer: The mutated sequence still codes for the same amino acid.
What is typically studied when analyzing not-yet-born (or unhatched) animals?(1 point)
Responses
casual records
casual records
DNA sequencing
DNA sequencing
embryological development
embryological development
evolutionary theory
evolutionary theory
When analyzing not-yet-born (or unhatched) animals, the primary focus is typically on embryological development. This involves studying the processes and stages through which the embryo develops before birth or hatching.
Answer: embryological development
What can scientists analyze to get a better understanding of how plants and animals evolved from a common ancestor?(1 point)
Responses
life cycles and behaviors
life cycles and behaviors
petrified bones and imprints of plants
petrified bones and imprints of plants
DNA
DNA
vertebrate embryos
To gain a better understanding of how plants and animals evolved from a common ancestor, scientists can analyze DNA. By comparing genetic sequences, scientists can infer evolutionary relationships and understand the degree of relatedness between different species.
Answer: DNA
How can embryos help scientists understand evolution?(1 point)
Responses
Embryos go through various stages that suggest the animal’s evolutionary process.
Embryos go through various stages that suggest the animal’s evolutionary process.
Embryos provide evidence for which life forms existed at the same time.
Embryos provide evidence for which life forms existed at the same time.
Embryos are frequently fossilized and illustrate change over time.
Embryos are frequently fossilized and illustrate change over time.
Embryos contain the code for all life on Eart
Embryos can help scientists understand evolution because they display similarities across different species during various developmental stages. These similarities suggest common ancestry and provide insights into the evolutionary processes that led to the diversity of life.
Therefore, the correct statement is:
Embryos go through various stages that suggest the animal’s evolutionary process.
Answer: Embryos go through various stages that suggest the animal’s evolutionary process.
Changes in Organisms over Time Using fossil evidence, scientists can learn how organisms have changed over long periods of time. The chart shows information about how traits of ancestors of the modern horse have changed.
Question
Use the graph to answer the question.
Select two statements that would best explain the change in horses’ body mass over millions of years.
(1 point)
Responses
Horses with larger body masses were more likely to survive and reproduce.
Horses with larger body masses were more likely to survive and reproduce.
There was decreased food availability.
There was decreased food availability.
Horses with larger body masses were less likely to survive and reproduce.
Horses with larger body masses were less likely to survive and reproduce.
Large body mass occurred in individuals as they became adults
Large body mass occurred in individuals as they became adults
There was increased food availability.
To explain the change in horses' body mass over millions of years, we need to consider what evolutionary pressures might favor larger body mass. Typically, larger size can be advantageous in terms of survival and reproductive success, especially in environments where size can help with predator avoidance and competition for resources.
The two statements that best explain this change in horses' body mass are:
Horses with larger body masses were more likely to survive and reproduce.
This aligns with natural selection, where beneficial traits become more common over generations.
There was increased food availability.
Increased food availability could support larger body sizes, as having more resources would allow individuals to grow larger and improve their chances of survival and reproduction.
Answer:
Horses with larger body masses were more likely to survive and reproduce.
