Which term refers to the concept that a species has descended with changes from prior forms over time?

Which term refers to the concept that a species has descended with changes from prior forms over time?

• A. Theory
• B. Evolution
• C. Descent with modification
• D. Fossil

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is that species change over time as traits are passed from ancestors to descendants, with those traits often shifting across generations. The term that most precisely captures this pattern is descent with modification—it explicitly states that species share common ancestry and that their characteristics can alter over time through inheritance. Evolution describes the broader process of how allele frequencies in populations change over generations, which includes descent with modification, but it’s the overall process rather than the specific description of how change occurs. A fossil is a piece of evidence that helps us infer historical life and patterns of change, not the description of the pattern itself. A theory is a well-supported explanation, such as the theory of evolution, but it’s not the phrase that names the pattern of descent and change. So, descent with modification is the best choice because it directly expresses the idea that species are related through ancestry and that they've diverged through changes over time.

The main idea being tested is that species change over time as traits are passed from ancestors to descendants, with those traits often shifting across generations. The term that most precisely captures this pattern is descent with modification—it explicitly states that species share common ancestry and that their characteristics can alter over time through inheritance.

Evolution describes the broader process of how allele frequencies in populations change over generations, which includes descent with modification, but it’s the overall process rather than the specific description of how change occurs. A fossil is a piece of evidence that helps us infer historical life and patterns of change, not the description of the pattern itself. A theory is a well-supported explanation, such as the theory of evolution, but it’s not the phrase that names the pattern of descent and change.

So, descent with modification is the best choice because it directly expresses the idea that species are related through ancestry and that they've diverged through changes over time.