Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to succeed in your certification.

Practice this question and more.


What do vestigial anatomical structures indicate about species divergence?

  1. Species are undergoing rapid evolution

  2. Species share a common ancestor

  3. Species have evolved and diverged from one another

  4. All species are functionally similar

The correct answer is: Species have evolved and diverged from one another

Vestigial anatomical structures are remnants of organs or body parts that once had a specific function in a species' ancestors but have since lost or diminished that function in the current generation. The presence of these structures provides evidence for evolutionary processes, indicating that species have evolved over time and diverged from common ancestors. When a particular trait becomes vestigial, this suggests that the species has undergone changes in its environment or behavior that have rendered the original function of that structure unnecessary. For example, the human appendix is considered vestigial because it no longer plays a significant role in digestion, as it might have in our herbivorous ancestors. The existence of vestigial structures across different species supports the concept that these species arose from a common lineage, but more importantly, it highlights the evolutionary paths they have taken as they adapted to their specific environments. Therefore, the indication of evolutionary divergence is strongly present because it reflects both the historical context of species development and their subsequent modifications over time, making this choice the most accurate reflection of what vestigial structures signify in terms of species divergence.