Question

based on the body structures of these animals, which two conclusions are scientifically sound?
images of dog, gorilla, chimpanzee, and frog skeletons

• the skeletal structure of the gorilla and chimpanzee suggest a common evolutionary ancestry.
• the dog and frog share a closer evolutionary ancestry than the gorilla and chimpanzee
• the dog is more closely related to the frog than it is to the chimpanzee
• all four organisms share a common vertebrate ancestor

Explanation:

1. Gorillas and chimpanzees are both great apes with highly similar skeletal structures (e.g., upright posture, hand/limb bone arrangements) indicating a very close common evolutionary ancestor.
2. All four organisms are vertebrates (they all have a bony skeleton with a spinal column), which means they share a common vertebrate ancestor.
3. Dogs are mammals, while frogs are amphibians; gorillas and chimpanzees are both primate mammals, so dogs are more closely related to gorillas/chimpanzees than to frogs, making the other two options incorrect.

Answer:

• The skeletal structure of the gorilla and chimpanzee suggest a common evolutionary ancestry
• All four organisms share a common vertebrate ancestor