Evolution
Argumentation and Evolution
In a scientific argument, claims about the natural world should be supported or refuted by evidence, and by reas…
Item CA047002: The fact that fish cells and algae both have DNA can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. (Identify valid evidence and sound reasoning to support a claim.)
A researcher makes the claim:
"Algae and fish share a common ancestor"
Which of the following statements provide valid evidence and sound reasoning to support this claim?
- Algae and fish both live in the ocean. The place where organisms live can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor.
- Algae and fish are composed of matter. Being made of matter can be used as evidence that two organisms share a common ancestor.
- Fish are able to eat algae. A predator-prey relationship can be used to determine whether two organisms share a common ancestor.
- Fish cells and algae both have DNA. Whether an organism has DNA can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor.
Pre-Test
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 580 |
6–8 n = 25 |
9–12 n = 514 |
Male n = 254 |
Female n = 286 |
English n = 526 |
Other n = 13 |
||
| A. | Algae and fish both live in the ocean. The place where organisms live can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. | 43% | 24% | 44% | 43% | 44% | 44% | 8% |
| B. | Algae and fish are composed of matter. Being made of matter can be used as evidence that two organisms share a common ancestor. | 7% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 23% |
| C. | Fish are able to eat algae. A predator-prey relationship can be used to determine whether two organisms share a common ancestor. | 11% | 8% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 11% | 31% |
| D. | Fish cells and algae both have DNA. Whether an organism has DNA can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. | 39% | 60% | 37% | 37% | 40% | 39% | 38% |
Post-Test (Control)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 255 |
6–8 n = 15 |
9–12 n = 195 |
Male n = 97 |
Female n = 119 |
English n = 205 |
Other n = 6 |
||
| A. | Algae and fish both live in the ocean. The place where organisms live can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. | 36% | 33% | 35% | 41% | 32% | 36% | 17% |
| B. | Algae and fish are composed of matter. Being made of matter can be used as evidence that two organisms share a common ancestor. | 5% | 7% | 4% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 0% |
| C. | Fish are able to eat algae. A predator-prey relationship can be used to determine whether two organisms share a common ancestor. | 10% | 7% | 10% | 8% | 10% | 9% | 17% |
| D. | Fish cells and algae both have DNA. Whether an organism has DNA can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. | 49% | 53% | 51% | 44% | 55% | 51% | 67% |
Post-Test (Treatment)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 301 |
6–8 n = 8 |
9–12 n = 274 |
Male n = 134 |
Female n = 150 |
English n = 274 |
Other n = 9 |
||
| A. | Algae and fish both live in the ocean. The place where organisms live can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. | 32% | 50% | 32% | 31% | 34% | 32% | 33% |
| B. | Algae and fish are composed of matter. Being made of matter can be used as evidence that two organisms share a common ancestor. | 3% | 0% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 11% |
| C. | Fish are able to eat algae. A predator-prey relationship can be used to determine whether two organisms share a common ancestor. | 7% | 0% | 7% | 6% | 9% | 7% | 0% |
| D. | Fish cells and algae both have DNA. Whether an organism has DNA can be used as evidence that they share a common ancestor. | 58% | 50% | 58% | 60% | 55% | 58% | 56% |