Living Environment Regents Practice Test

What conclusion can be drawn from the sequencing of woolly mammoth DNA?

1. All prehistoric species are extinct

2. Present-day species evolved from earlier species

3. Species do not change over time

4. Present-day elephants evolved from mammals

The correct answer is: Present-day species evolved from earlier species

The conclusion that present-day species evolved from earlier species is supported by the sequencing of woolly mammoth DNA, which reveals important genetic information about their relationship to modern species, particularly elephants. Genetic analysis allows scientists to trace the evolutionary lineage and understand the changes that occur in species over time through natural selection and adaptations to their environments. The DNA sequencing indicates that woolly mammoths share a common ancestor with today’s elephants, providing evidence that species can evolve and adapt, leading to the diversity of life we see today. This understanding aligns with the principles of evolution, which emphasize that various forms of life are interconnected through common ancestry. While some other options might present facts or assumptions related to evolution or extinction, they do not directly relate to the insights gained from mammoth DNA sequencing about the lineage and development of present-day species, which is clearly articulated in the correct conclusion.