Question

The close similarity in overall structure among the early embryos of different vertebrates is best explained by the idea that:

Options

• All vertebrates arose independently with no shared history

• All vertebrates occupy identical habitats as adults

• All vertebrates have evolved from a common ancestor

• All vertebrates have identical adult body forms

Answer 1

The similarity among early embryos of different vertebrates is best explained by descent from a common ancestor. Shared developmental patterns are inherited from that ancestor and are retained in the early embryonic stages of all descendant groups.