Evolution
Argumentation and Evolution
In a scientific argument, claims about the natural world should be supported or refuted by evidence, and by reas…
Item CA044002: Recognize a statement that provides evidence for the claim that algae and yeast share a common ancestor.
A student is reading an article on evolution and comes across the statement:
“Algae and yeast have a common ancestor.”
They aren't sure whether this claim is true or not, so they look for evidence supporting it. Which of the following is scientific evidence that could be used to support the claim?
- Algae and yeast both produce the proteins required for cellular respiration.
- Algae and yeast have identical DNA.
- The more traits two organisms have in common the more closely related they are.
- Algae and yeast couldn’t have a common ancestor.
Pre-Test
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 558 |
6–8 n = 25 |
9–12 n = 498 |
Male n = 243 |
Female n = 274 |
English n = 502 |
Other n = 19 |
||
| A. | Algae and yeast both produce the proteins required for cellular respiration. | 29% | 32% | 29% | 26% | 31% | 29% | 26% |
| B. | Algae and yeast have identical DNA. | 40% | 40% | 41% | 44% | 36% | 42% | 26% |
| C. | The more traits two organisms have in common the more closely related they are. | 29% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 31% | 28% | 47% |
| D. | Algae and yeast couldn’t have a common ancestor. | 2% | 0% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
Post-Test (Control)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 294 |
6–8 n = 23 |
9–12 n = 247 |
Male n = 109 |
Female n = 171 |
English n = 264 |
Other n = 9 |
||
| A. | Algae and yeast both produce the proteins required for cellular respiration. | 17% | 22% | 17% | 19% | 16% | 18% | 0% |
| B. | Algae and yeast have identical DNA. | 47% | 48% | 47% | 43% | 49% | 47% | 78% |
| C. | The more traits two organisms have in common the more closely related they are. | 34% | 26% | 34% | 35% | 33% | 34% | 22% |
| D. | Algae and yeast couldn’t have a common ancestor. | 2% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 0% |
Post-Test (Treatment)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 281 |
6–8 n = 3 |
9–12 n = 257 |
Male n = 132 |
Female n = 140 |
English n = 254 |
Other n = 11 |
||
| A. | Algae and yeast both produce the proteins required for cellular respiration. | 26% | 67% | 26% | 28% | 25% | 26% | 18% |
| B. | Algae and yeast have identical DNA. | 43% | 0% | 44% | 36% | 49% | 44% | 45% |
| C. | The more traits two organisms have in common the more closely related they are. | 30% | 33% | 30% | 36% | 25% | 30% | 36% |
| D. | Algae and yeast couldn’t have a common ancestor. | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% |