The following numbered sets of characters each represent a distinct group of organisms:
1. three toes per foot, feathers, cold-blooded, no finger adaptations
2. three toes per foot, body hair, warm-blooded, opposable thumbs
3. three toes per foot, feathers, warm-blooded, no finger adaptations
4. three toes per foot, body hair, warm-blooded, no finger adaptations
Which of the following choices is the most likely to represent the order in which these groups would appear on an evolutionary tree, from oldest to youngest group? (Hint: the more primitive characters are cold-bloodedness, feathers, and no finger adaptations.)"
A)1, 2, 3, 4
B)4, 2, 3, 1
C)1, 3, 4, 2
D)2, 1, 4, 3

Question

The following numbered sets of characters each represent a distinct group of organisms:
1. three toes per foot, feathers, cold-blooded, no finger adaptations 
2. three toes per foot, body hair, warm-blooded, opposable thumbs
3. three toes per foot, feathers, warm-blooded, no finger adaptations
4. three toes per foot, body hair, warm-blooded, no finger adaptations
Which of the following choices is the most likely to represent the order in which these groups would appear on an evolutionary tree, from oldest to youngest group? (Hint: the more primitive characters are cold-bloodedness, feathers, and no finger adaptations.)"
A)1, 2, 3, 4
B)4, 2, 3, 1
C)1, 3, 4, 2
D)2, 1, 4, 3

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most primitive characteristic among the given options is cold-bloodedness, so group 1 with this character would be the oldest. Feathers and no finger adaptations are the next primitive traits, and since group 1 has these traits, group 3 would be the next group to evolve.  Group 4 with body hair and no finger adaptations would come next because hair is a more advanced adaptation than feathers. Finally, group 2 with opposable thumbs, a more advanced trait compared to other groups, would be the youngest group. Therefore, the correct order of groups from oldest to youngest is 1, 3, 4, 2, which matches option C.

The Following Numbered Sets of Characters Each Represent a Distinct