You and your friend inspect a group of fossils from different organisms with various features. Your friend is convinced that all of the fossils are unrelated, but you find evidence that these organisms share an ancestor. What is an example of evidence that you could use to best support this argument?

Question

You and your friend inspect a group of fossils from different organisms with various features. Your friend is convinced that all of the fossils are unrelated, but you find evidence that these organisms share an ancestor. What is an example of evidence that you could use to best support this argument?

a
heights
b
patterns in limb structures
c
tooth features
d
number of bones

Answer 1

B) Patterns in limb structures could be used as evidence to support the argument that these organisms share an ancestor. Similarities in limb structures indicate common ancestry, as bones and joints are often adapted over time to suit specific functions, such as walking, running, or gripping. By observing similarities in limb structures among the group of fossils, one could infer that these organisms may have evolved from a common ancestor.

Answer 2

To determine the best evidence to support the argument that these organisms share a common ancestor, we need to look for features that are found across multiple organisms in the group. This can indicate a shared evolutionary history. Let's analyze the options.

a) Heights: While heights can vary among organisms, they do not necessarily provide evidence of a shared ancestry. Organisms can evolve taller or shorter for various reasons, such as environmental adaptations or sexual selection.

b) Patterns in limb structures: This is a promising option. Similar limb structures across different organisms suggest a common ancestor. For example, if the fossils all exhibit a similar bone arrangement in their limbs, it could indicate a shared evolutionary origin.

c) Tooth features: Teeth can vary significantly among organisms. The presence of different types of teeth doesn't necessarily imply a shared ancestor. Tooth structures can evolve independently in response to different dietary needs.

d) Number of bones: The number of bones can vary widely across different organisms and is not a reliable indicator of shared ancestry. Many factors, such as body size or functional adaptations, can influence the number of bones.

Based on the options given, the best evidence for supporting the argument that these organisms share a common ancestor would be b) patterns in limb structures. Similar limb structures across different fossils can suggest a common evolutionary origin.

Answer 3

The best evidence to support the argument that these organisms share an ancestor would be patterns in limb structures (option b). Limb structures can provide clues about the evolutionary history of organisms because similar limb structures often indicate a common ancestor. If the fossils exhibit similar patterns in their limb structures, such as the arrangement and number of bones in the limbs, it suggests that these organisms are related and descended from a common ancestor. Therefore, this evidence would strongly support the argument that the fossils share a common ancestor.