Question
The similarities of the bones in the diagram provide evidence that- __ The organisms shown have the same genetic diseases The organisms shown may have developed from a common ancestor The organisms shown lived in the same natural envionrment All vertebrate species have identical forelimbs
Answer
4.7
(228 Votes)
Tristan
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The organisms shown may have developed from a common ancestor
Explanation
This question is about understanding the evolutionary relationships among organisms based on anatomical features. The key phrase here is "the similarities of the bones in the diagram," which suggests that we are looking at structural similarities in the anatomy of different organisms. Such similarities are often used as evidence for common ancestry in evolutionary biology.- The option stating "The organisms shown have the same genetic diseases" is not supported by merely anatomical similarities, as genetic diseases are specific conditions that are not necessarily visible in the gross anatomy or bone structure.- "The organisms shown may have developed from a common ancestor" is a plausible explanation for the observed similarities in bone structures. In evolutionary biology, similar structures that arise from a common ancestor are known as homologous structures. These structures may serve different functions in different organisms but have a similar underlying anatomy due to shared ancestry.- The option "The organisms shown lived in the same natural environment" might initially seem plausible because organisms living in similar environments can develop similar adaptations. However, similar environmental conditions lead to analogous structures, not homologous ones. Analogous structures are those that have similar functions but are not derived from a common ancestor, which is different from what is being suggested by the similarities in bone structures.- "All vertebrate species have identical forelimbs" is not accurate because, while there may be structural similarities due to common ancestry, the forelimbs of vertebrates are not identical. They have been adapted to suit the diverse lifestyles and environments of various species.Given these considerations, the most accurate explanation for the observed similarities in bone structures is that they indicate a possible common ancestry among the organisms depicted. This aligns with the principles of evolutionary biology, which uses such anatomical evidence to infer relationships and evolutionary pathways.