Seemingly dissimilar organisms such as hummingbirds, humans, and whales have similar skeletal structures. This most directly suggested to biologists that __________.
A
only the best-adapted organisms can survive
B
advantageous changes can be passed along to offspring
C
most evolution occurs rapidly following a mass extinction
D
All of the listed responses are correct.
E
dissimilar organisms might have evolved from a distant, common ancestor
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Begin by understanding the concept of homologous structures, which are anatomical features in different species that have a similar structure but may serve different functions. This suggests a common ancestry.
Consider the evolutionary principle that organisms with similar structures likely share a common ancestor. This is because these structures have been inherited from that ancestor and modified over time.
Analyze the given organisms: hummingbirds, humans, and whales. Despite their differences in appearance and lifestyle, they share similar skeletal structures, indicating a shared evolutionary origin.
Evaluate the options provided in the problem. The presence of similar skeletal structures does not directly suggest rapid evolution after mass extinction or that only the best-adapted organisms survive. Instead, it points to a common ancestry.
Conclude that the most direct implication of similar skeletal structures in dissimilar organisms is that they might have evolved from a distant, common ancestor, which is a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology.