Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Biology Practice Test

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What evidence supports the conclusion that teosinte is an ancestor to modern corn plants?

  1. Corn and other grasses have the same seed structure

  2. Corn has genetic sequences more similar to teosinte than other grasses

  3. Teosinte and corn plants have similar leaves

  4. Teosinte grows in the same regions as modern corn

The correct answer is: Corn has genetic sequences more similar to teosinte than other grasses

The conclusion that teosinte is an ancestor to modern corn plants is strongly supported by the evidence that corn has genetic sequences more similar to teosinte than to other grasses. This genetic similarity indicates a close evolutionary relationship, suggesting that the two plants share a common ancestor. By comparing the DNA sequences of corn and teosinte, researchers can track mutations and changes over time, providing insights into how corn has evolved from teosinte. This genetic evidence is crucial because it goes deeper than physical similarities or shared habitats; it reflects the underlying biological and evolutionary processes that link the two species together. While other options may present some level of similarity between teosinte and corn, such as leaf structure or habitat, these factors do not provide the same robust evidence of common ancestry as genetic similarity.

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