Question

8.Evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life. Explain how evolution can account for both why rabbits and opossums share certain traits and also why they differ.

7. In lab last week, you compared the two mammal species Eastern Cottontail and North American Opossum to learn how to construct dichotomous keys. Compare now using the Deep Tree of Life. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lablablevolution research levo/deeptree a. How long ago did the Eastern Cottontail and North American Opossum share their most recent common ancestor? 160 millions. b. Identify two traits that rabbits and opossums share. both mammals. DNA c. Identify two traits that distinguish opossums from rabbits. short thils long trails, long ears shart ears. 8. Evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life. Explain how evolution can account for both why rabbits and opossums share certain traits and also why they differ. 108

Answer 1

Ans) Evolution explains both the unity and diversity of life because based on the natural selection and environmental factors animals share common characteristics and sometimes differ in the morphology and behaviours as per the diversity in Ecosystem.

Organisms decend from a common ancestors, this explains unity of life. Living organisms are evolved with similar chemistry and cellular design like presence of biomolecules DNA, RNA, Cells and Organs.

For the purpose of adaptation in the changing environment due to Ecological evolution organisms undergo natural selection process by modifying themselves according to the changes for their survival. This explains the diversity in life.

Evolution can account for both similarities and diversities in rabbits and opossums:

Some of the similarities are:

Rabbits and Oppossums both belongs to class Mammalia, both have grey colored fur on their body, both have four toes on hind feet, they have mostly similar size and weight.

Some of the diversities are:

Rabbits has gestation period of 4 weeks whereas Oppossums only 2 weeks, Opposums are Ominivorous Rabbits are Carnivorous, Oppossums has short ear to adapt to climate whereas Rabbits have long ears.

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