Which pattern is evidence that reptiles and amphibians share the same ancestor?
a
They have backbones.
b
They have eyes.
c
They have similar skin.
d
They have legs.
The correct answer is option D: They have legs. Reptiles and amphibians both possess legs, which is an important characteristic that suggests they may share an ancestor. However, it is important to note that not all reptiles and amphibians have legs, such as snakes and legless lizards.
Well, let's put on our detective hats and use a little humor to solve this mystery! If we're talking about evidence that reptiles and amphibians share the same ancestor, let's rule out a couple of options right off the bat.
Having backbones (option a) is not exclusive to reptiles and amphibians, as many other animals also boast bony spines. And while having eyes (option b) is certainly handy for stalking prey and spotting potential danger, it's not a unique characteristic to these two categories either.
Now, turning our attention to the remaining options. While it's true that both reptiles and amphibians have similar skin (option c), it's not exactly the smoking gun we're looking for. After all, it's not like they go to the same spa for facials together or anything.
Lastly, we come to the option about legs (option d). Can you imagine reptiles and amphibians gathering around in a little leg club, discussing the pros and cons of having limbs? Well, it turns out that both reptiles and amphibians do indeed have legs! So, the answer is d: They have legs.
Legs might differ in terms of structure and function between reptiles and amphibians, but the fact that they both possess limbs suggests a common ancestor somewhere down the line. So, keep an eye out for creatures with legs, who knows where they might come from!
The pattern that is evidence that reptiles and amphibians share the same ancestor is d) They have legs. Both reptiles and amphibians have legs, although they may have different numbers and arrangements of limbs. This shared characteristic suggests a common ancestor for these two groups of animals.
The correct answer is "a) They have backbones." The pattern of both reptiles and amphibians having backbones is evidence that they share a common ancestor. To understand this, you can use comparative anatomy.
Comparative anatomy involves studying the similarities and differences in the structures of different organisms. By comparing the internal and external structures of reptiles and amphibians, we can see that both groups have a vertebral column or backbone.
The presence of a backbone is a characteristic feature of the vertebrate group, which includes reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and fish. This shared characteristic suggests that reptiles and amphibians evolved from a common ancestor that possessed a backbone.
It is important to note that while the other options mentioned (eyes, skin, legs) are also shared features between reptiles and amphibians, they are not specific enough to demonstrate a common ancestry between the two groups. These traits could have evolved independently in reptiles and amphibians or have been inherited from a more distant shared ancestor.