Scientists examine fossils from three different animals. They determine that all three animals share similar structures and record their observations as follows: Animal A and animal B have somewhat similar structures. Animal A and animal C have very similar structures. Animal B and animal C have very similar structures. The scientists use the similarities to determine the order in which the fossils should appear in the fossil record. Based on the scientists’ observations, which order is the most reasonable? (1 point) Responses A, C, B A, C, B A, B, C A, B, C B, A, C B, A, C C, B, A

Answer 1

Based on the scientists' observations, we know the following:

• Animal A and Animal C have very similar structures.
• Animal B and Animal C have very similar structures.
• Animal A and Animal B have somewhat similar structures.

From this, we can infer that Animal A and Animal C are likely more closely related to each other than to Animal B, but since Animal B also has similar structures with both A and C, we can conclude that they all share a common ancestor but A and C are more closely aligned.

To determine the order in which the fossils should appear, we should consider which animals are more closely related first. Since A and C are very similar and are likely more closely related, it would be reasonable to place them before B, which has somewhat similar structures but not as closely related.

A reasonable order based on this information would likely be:

• A and C appear first (since they are very similar, suggesting they are more closely related).
• B appears later, as it has only somewhat similar structures to A.

The best response based on this reasoning would be A, C, B.