Many pieces of evidence support the claim that all modern cells share the same ancestor in their evolutionary histories.If a living organism is discovered on another planet or moon, what data would biologists collect to determine whether this organism also shares the common ancestor that all cells on Earth share?
A) The organism's ability to survive in Earth's atmosphere
B) The ability of the organism to reproduce itself
C) The chemical composition of the organism's hereditary molecules
D) The presence of water in the organism's internal environment
E) The organism's ability to extract energy from its external environment

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The chemical composition of an organism's hereditary molecules, such as DNA or RNA, would provide insight into its evolutionary history. If these molecules resemble those found in all modern cells on Earth, it would be evidence that the organism shares a common ancestor with Earth's cells. However, if the hereditary molecules are significantly different, it would suggest a different evolutionary history. The other options listed may provide information about the organism's ability to survive or function, but they would not be as relevant to determining its evolutionary relationship to Earth's cells.

Many Pieces of Evidence Support the Claim That All Modern