Question

fish
reptile
human
which of the following statements is best supported by evidence provided in the diagram?
choose 1 answer:
a fish are more closely related to reptiles than to humans.
b fish, reptiles, and humans share a common ancestor that had embryonic gill slits.
c all of earth’s animals have embryonic gill slits.

Explanation:

• Option A: Fish, reptiles, and humans all belong to the chordate phylum. Reptiles (vertebrates) and humans (mammals, also vertebrates) are more closely related than fish (non - tetrapod vertebrates) and reptiles. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: The diagram likely shows embryonic structures (like gill slits) in fish, reptile, and human embryos. The presence of similar embryonic structures (gill slits in embryos) is evidence for a common ancestor that had such structures. This is in line with evolutionary theory about shared ancestry among chordates.
• Option C: The statement is too broad. Not all Earth's animals have embryonic gill slits (e.g., insects, mollusks do not). The diagram only shows fish, reptile, and human, so we can't conclude about all animals.

Answer:

B. Fish, reptiles, and humans share a common ancestor that had embryonic gill slits.