AP Biology Flashcards: Common Ancestry
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What are the three key pieces of evidence mentioned that support the common ancestry of all eukaryotes?
The three key pieces of evidence are the presence of membrane-bound organelles, linear chromosomes, and genes containing introns.
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What are the three key pieces of evidence mentioned that support the common ancestry of all eukaryotes?
The three key pieces of evidence are the presence of membrane-bound organelles, linear chromosomes, and genes containing introns.
On what two levels can evidence for the common ancestry of all eukaryotes be found?
Evidence for the common ancestry of all eukaryotes can be found on both the cellular and molecular levels.
Which piece of evidence for eukaryotic common ancestry is primarily considered on the cellular level?
The presence of membrane-bound organelles is the key piece of evidence considered on the cellular level.
Membrane-bound organelles (as evidence for common ancestry)
These are a form of structural and functional evidence on the cellular level that provides support for the common ancestry of all eukaryotes.
What are two pieces of molecular-level evidence for the common ancestry of eukaryotes?
Two key pieces of molecular-level evidence are the presence of linear chromosomes and genes that contain introns.
If you were analyzing the genome of an unknown organism to see if it shares a common ancestor with eukaryotes, what specific gene structure would you look for?
You would look for the presence of genes containing introns, as this is a key piece of molecular evidence for eukaryotic common ancestry.
A scientist observes that a newly discovered organism has cells containing a nucleus and linear chromosomes. What does this evidence suggest?
This evidence suggests the organism is a eukaryote that shares a common ancestor with all other eukaryotes.
Linear chromosomes (as evidence for common ancestry)
This is a structural feature on the molecular level that serves as evidence for the common ancestry of all eukaryotes.
Genes containing introns (as evidence for common ancestry)
This molecular-level genetic feature is a key piece of evidence that supports the theory of common ancestry for all eukaryotes.
Evidence for Common Ancestry of Eukaryotes
This refers to the structural and functional evidence on cellular and molecular levels, such as organelles and linear chromosomes, that indicates a shared evolutionary origin for all eukaryotes.