or
Scientists theorize that all life started with simple prokaryotic organisms. New species continue to evolve
from existing species, creating the variety of life we see today. The following diagram shows the basic
process.
fungi
(oukaryotic,
unicellular,
multicellular)
protista
(eukaryotic,
uni-or
multicellular)
eubacteria
(prokaryotic,
unicellular)
animalia
(eukaryotic
multicellular)
universal
ancestor
plantae
(eukaryotic
multicellular)
archaebacteria
(prokaryotic,
unicellular)
Based on this diagram, do you think that organisms of the same order will share a stronger evolutionary
relationship than organisms that share only the same phylum? Explain your reasoning using the results of
your investigation.