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Multiple Choice
Which of the following observations most strongly supports the common origin of all life on Earth?
A
Most animals have bilateral symmetry.
B
All living organisms use the same genetic code to translate DNA into proteins.
C
Plants and animals both perform photosynthesis.
D
Some organisms are multicellular while others are unicellular.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of 'common origin of all life on Earth,' which refers to the idea that all living organisms share a universal ancestor and exhibit fundamental similarities.
Recognize that the genetic code is a universal feature shared by all known living organisms. It is the set of rules by which nucleotide sequences in DNA or RNA are translated into amino acid sequences in proteins.
Analyze the options provided: bilateral symmetry, photosynthesis, multicellularity vs. unicellularity, and the universal genetic code. Determine which feature is most fundamental and universal across all life forms.
Note that bilateral symmetry is specific to certain animals, photosynthesis is limited to plants and some microorganisms, and multicellularity/unicellularity describes structural differences rather than a universal mechanism.
Conclude that the universal genetic code is the strongest evidence for the common origin of all life, as it is shared by all living organisms regardless of their structural or functional differences.