Scientists examine fossils from three different animals. They determine that all three animals share similar structures and record their observations as follows:

Question

Scientists examine fossils from three different animals. They determine that all three animals share similar structures and record their observations as follows:

Animal A and animal B have somewhat similar structures.
Animal A and animal C have very similar structures.
Animal B and animal C have very similar structures.
The scientists use the similarities to determine the order in which the fossils should appear in the fossil record. Based on the scientists’ observations, which order is the most reasonable?

a. A, B, C

b. A, C, B

c. C, B, A

d. B, A, C

Answer 1

The most reasonable order based on the scientists' observations is:

b. A, C, B

This is because they determined that animal A and animal C have very similar structures, followed by animal B and animal C having very similar structures, and lastly animal A and animal B having somewhat similar structures.