Multiple Choice
How do vestigial structures provide evidence that species may be changing over time?
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21. Evolution
Evidence of Evolution
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Which of the following characteristics suggests that whales evolved from terrestrial animals?
A
Presence of baleen plates
B
Ability to breathe underwater
C
Streamlined body shape
D
Presence of vestigial hind limb bones
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of vestigial structures: Vestigial structures are anatomical features that are present in an organism but have lost their original function through evolution. These structures provide evidence of an organism's evolutionary history.
Identify the characteristic in the problem: The problem mentions 'Presence of vestigial hind limb bones' as a characteristic of whales.
Relate vestigial structures to evolutionary history: The presence of vestigial hind limb bones in whales suggests that their ancestors once had functional limbs, which is a characteristic of terrestrial animals.
Consider the evolutionary transition: Whales are marine mammals, but the presence of vestigial hind limb bones indicates that they evolved from ancestors that lived on land and had limbs for walking.
Conclude the evolutionary implication: The presence of vestigial hind limb bones in whales is a key piece of evidence supporting the idea that whales evolved from terrestrial animals, as these bones are remnants of their land-dwelling ancestors.
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