Gradual genetic development is often represented as a tree similar to the one shown in the diagram.

This diagram suggests that

a
different groups of organisms may have similar characteristics because of common ancestry.
b
only the most well-adapted organisms will survive.
c
speciation is a predictable event that happens every few years.
d
biochemical differences show that no two organisms could ever have had a common ancestor.

a) different groups of organisms may have similar characteristics because of common ancestry.