According to the theory of evolution, anatomical and molecular homologies should __________.

• A. be completely independent of each other
• B. yield very different hierarchical patterns
• C. link all of the species currently present on Earth
• D. be understood to have come about by chance alone
• E. produce similar patterns of evolutionary relatedness

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of homologies: Homologies refer to similarities between organisms due to shared ancestry. Anatomical homologies are physical structures, while molecular homologies involve genetic sequences.
2. Recognize the role of homologies in evolution: Both anatomical and molecular homologies are used to infer evolutionary relationships among species, suggesting common ancestry.
3. Consider the hierarchical patterns: Evolutionary theory predicts that homologies will produce similar hierarchical patterns, indicating how species are related through common ancestors.
4. Evaluate the options: Analyze each option to determine which aligns with the concept that homologies should produce similar patterns of evolutionary relatedness.
5. Select the correct answer: Based on the understanding of homologies and evolutionary theory, choose the option that states homologies should produce similar patterns of evolutionary relatedness.