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Chapter 24: Problem 12

T/F: All life on Earth branches from the same evolutionary tree.

Short Answer

Expert verified
True; all life shares a common evolutionary ancestry.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Question

Break down what the question is asking. It wants to know if all living things on Earth share a common ancestry, i.e., whether they all branch from the same evolutionary tree.
02

Evaluate Evolutionary Theory

Discuss what the theory of evolution suggests. According to evolutionary theory, all life on Earth shares a common ancestor. This suggests that all life forms are connected through a vast evolutionary tree, which represents how different species have evolved and diversified from common ancestors.
03

Consider Scientific Evidence

Scientific evidence supports the idea that all life on Earth shares a common origin. Fossil records, genetic similarities, and biochemical processes indicate a shared ancestry for all organisms, which strengthens the argument that they come from the same evolutionary tree.
04

Arrive at the Conclusion

Based on the understanding of evolutionary theory and scientific evidence, it can be concluded that the statement is true. All life on Earth indeed branches from the same evolutionary tree.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Common Ancestry
Common ancestry is a fundamental concept in biology which states that all life forms on Earth derive from a single ancestral species. This ancestral lineage connects through a branching evolutionary tree, suggesting a shared origin for all living organisms.
Think of a giant tree where each branch represents the evolutionary path of a species. The trunk of the tree represents the common ancestor from which all branches originate.
  • This concept helps us understand the relationship between different species.
  • It provides insight into how diverse life forms have evolved over millions of years.
  • Common ancestry also highlights the interconnectedness of all living things on Earth.
This concept is central to the theory of evolution, providing a framework for studying the history and diversity of life.
Theory of Evolution
The theory of evolution, proposed by Charles Darwin, explains how species change over time through natural selection. According to this theory, organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation. Over long periods, these small changes accumulate, leading to the diversity of life we see today.
The evolutionary tree is a visual tool representing relationships among species. Its branches show how species have evolved and diversified from common ancestors.
  • Natural selection acts on variations in traits.
  • Beneficial traits become more common in a population.
  • Over time, this process results in the formation of new species.
The theory of evolution is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence from various fields, including genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy.
Scientific Evidence
Scientific evidence plays a crucial role in validating the theory of evolution and the concept of common ancestry. Multiple lines of evidence from different scientific disciplines support the idea that all life forms share a common origin:
  • Fossil Records: Fossils provide snapshots of the past, showing how organisms have changed over time.
  • Genetic Similarities: Comparing DNA sequences across species shows genetic links and evolutionary relationships.
  • Biochemical Processes: Shared biochemical pathways among different organisms suggest a common origin.
This evidence reinforces the concept that all life on Earth stems from a single evolutionary tree. By studying scientific evidence, researchers continue to uncover new insights into the history and mechanisms of evolution.
Genetic Similarities
Genetic similarities among species provide compelling evidence for common ancestry. DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information, is remarkably similar across different life forms. These genetic connections help us trace evolutionary paths:
  • Comparative Genomics: Comparing genomes of different species reveals common genes and sequences.
  • Homologous Genes: Genes that share a common origin in different species, indicating evolutionary links.
  • Molecular Phylogeny: Constructing evolutionary trees using genetic data to show relationships among species.
These genetic studies support the idea that diverse organisms have evolved from a shared ancestor, further validating the evolutionary tree concept.
Fossil Records
Fossil records serve as a historical archive of life on Earth. They provide critical evidence for understanding evolutionary processes and the concept of common ancestry. Fossilized remains of ancient organisms can be compared to modern species, revealing evolutionary changes over time:
  • Transitional Fossils: Fossils that show intermediate forms between ancestral and descendant species.
  • Stratigraphy: Studying the layers of rock (strata) to determine the relative ages of fossils.
  • Radiometric Dating: Using radioactive isotopes to determine the absolute age of fossils.
These methods help scientists build a timeline of evolutionary history, illustrating how species have diverged from common ancestors. Fossil records are a powerful tool for studying the evolution of life on Earth.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The Drake equation depends on the number of stars in the Milky Way because a. that is a proxy for the size of the galaxy. b. life probably needs a star to evolve. c. if life is not around a star, it will never be found. d. stars live longer than civilizations, so the information about the civilization does not die with the civilization.

SETI listens for transmissions from other civilizations in the radio part of the spectrum because a. Earth's atmosphere is transparent in the radio. b. radio broadcasting is an essential step along the way to becoming a communicating civilization. c. no one is interested in radio astronomy, so it is easy to get time on telescopes. d. it can analyze the data for free using screen savers on other people's computers.

The Drake equation enables astronomers to a. calculate precisely the number of alien civilizations. b. organize their thoughts about probabilities. c. locate the stars they should study to find life. d. find new kinds of life.

T/F: Water once flowed on Mars.

The \(V\) iking spacecraft did not find evidence of life on Mars when it visited that planet in the late 1970 s, nor did the Phoenix lander when it examined the martian soil in 2009 Do these results imply that life never existed on the planet? Why or why not?
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