Multiple Choice
The fact that DNA sequences are more similar in more closely related organisms is evidence of what?
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21. Evolution
Evidence of Evolution
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How do vestigial structures provide evidence that species may be changing over time?
A
Vestigial structures are completely absent in all species, suggesting no evolutionary change.
B
Vestigial structures are identical in all species, indicating a lack of evolutionary divergence.
C
Vestigial structures are newly developed features that enhance survival, showing adaptation to new environments.
D
Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or features that were functional in ancestral species, indicating evolutionary change.
Verified step by step guidance1
Vestigial structures are anatomical features or organs that have lost their original function through evolution. They are remnants of structures that were fully functional in ancestral species.
These structures provide evidence of evolutionary change because they suggest that species have adapted to new environments or lifestyles, rendering certain features unnecessary.
The presence of vestigial structures indicates that species have undergone changes over time, as these features are no longer needed for survival or reproduction in their current form.
Examples of vestigial structures include the human appendix, which is a remnant of a larger cecum used by our herbivorous ancestors for digesting cellulose, and the pelvic bones in whales, which are remnants from when their ancestors walked on land.
By studying vestigial structures, scientists can trace the evolutionary history of a species and understand how it has adapted to its environment over time.
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