EBK BIOLOGY
EBK BIOLOGY
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780100667976
Author: Maier
Publisher: YUZU
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Chapter 10, Problem 1LTB

Describe the theory of common descent.

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Summary Introduction

To describe:

The theory of common descent.

Introduction:

The evolutionary theory supports the idea that all the organism existing on the earth today are the evolved from a common ancestor. The common descent is a term referred to the evolutionary mechanism that lead to divergence in different groups from a single ancestor.

Explanation of Solution

The speciation is the process, through which the different species have evolved from a single ancestor. The speciation occurs when the organism genetic composition is changed according to the environment, they are present.

Th evolutionary theories suggest that all the organisms have arisen from a LUCA (last universal common ancestor) through the process of speciation at different times. This theory is supported by the biochemical similarities such as presence of the DNA as genetic material, proteins, and respiration pathways.

The theory of common descents was given by Darwin, itsuggests that as the time passed a single cell resulted in development of more complex characters. This changes in the cell resulted in development of more complex traits and hence, evolution of different species.

Conclusion

The theory of the common descents suggests that all the species living on the earth have evolved from a single ancestor, by introducing more complex traits.

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