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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, B, C
A, B, C

B, A, C
B, A, C

C, B, A
C, B, A

A, C, B
A, C, B

1 answer

Based on the scientists' observations:

  • 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.

From these observations, we can infer a few things about their evolutionary relationships:

  1. Since Animal A has very similar structures to Animal C, it is likely more closely related to Animal C.
  2. Animal B also has very similar structures to Animal C, which suggests they are also closely related.
  3. However, since Animal A and B only have somewhat similar structures, it suggests that A and B are not as closely related as either of them is to C.

A reasonable interpretation is that Animal C might be more recent in the evolutionary timeline, while A and B could represent earlier stages or different branches. Thus, the most reasonable order in the fossil record, considering that C is more similar to A and B than A and B are to each other, is:

C, A, B

However, since that option isn't explicitly provided, the closest logical order based on the relationships described is:

A, C, B

This option suggests that A is more primitive, C is more derived, and B is somewhat derived. So, the best choice given the responses is:

A, C, B.