Why do anatomical and molecular features often fit a similar nested pattern in organisms?

• A. Because molecular features are always more complex than anatomical features.
• B. Because they are both influenced by common ancestry and evolutionary processes.
• C. Because anatomical features are determined solely by environmental factors.
• D. Because they both evolve independently without any influence from each other.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that both anatomical and molecular features are influenced by evolutionary processes. This means that they have developed over time through mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation.
2. Recognize that common ancestry plays a significant role in the development of these features. Organisms that share a common ancestor will have inherited certain traits, both anatomical and molecular, from that ancestor.
3. Consider how these inherited traits can lead to a nested pattern. As species diverge from a common ancestor, they retain some of the ancestral traits while also developing new ones, creating a branching pattern of similarities and differences.
4. Acknowledge that while environmental factors can influence anatomical features, they are not the sole determinants. Both anatomical and molecular features are shaped by a combination of genetic inheritance and environmental influences.
5. Realize that anatomical and molecular features do not evolve completely independently. They are interconnected, as molecular changes (such as mutations in DNA) can lead to changes in anatomical features over time.