Item 17 Anchor Papers    

The diagram below shows the early embryos of a fish, a reptile, and a bird. The embryos of these organisms are similar in structure and appearance.

  • What other evidence do you see that could be used to determine relatedness?
     
  • Explain what would provide the most reliable evidence that two organisms are related.
     
  • What evidence in adult fish, reptiles, and birds would show relatedness?
     
Write your answer in your Answer Book.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. By briefly stating similarities of the embryos (curved spine; curving in the mouth), the student provides minimal supporting details. No response is given to the last two bullets.

image of student response

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. The student uses similar structures to establish relatedness among the embryos (each has gill arches….similar in shape). Though a comparison of adult structure is made, the student makes no attempt to use the comparison to show relatedness. The student does not address bullet two. Supporting details are minimally effective.

image of student response

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. The student lists a similarity among the embryos (backbones that extend to the tails) and names DNA as the most reliable evidence to determine relatedness. The same evidence is used to show relatedness among the adult animals (backbone and tail). Supporting details are minimally effective.

image of student response

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student uses structural similarities among the embryos to show relatedness (gill arches, a spine, eyes, a "tail" and a "fin"; reptiles and birds have these structures in similar places, and curl up the same way; The best evidence of relatedness… are gill arches since birds neither use or have gills). A more reliable way to show relatedness is identified but not explained (DNA and proteins may provide stronger evidence.) The supporting details are adequate.

image of student response

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student provides adequate supporting details. Gill arches are identified as a similarity, and DNA is named as the most reliable evidence to determine relatedness. An excellent discussion of adult-stage related features (fins and wings; scales/skins) and functions (movement mechanisms; lay eggs) strengthens this response.

image of student response

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student includes a list of embryonic structures that are similar (gill, arches, rectangular, shaped fin, round eyes), a brief explanation of how DNA can be used to provide the most reliable evidence of relatedness (compare DNA bands; if bands are similar, they're closely related), and a structural similarity in adults that indicates relatedness (they all have unique outer coverings…scales…feathers). The supporting details are adequate.

image of student response

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. Structural similarities among the embryos are identified (gill arches…appendages…spinal cavity). Some synthesis of information is evident in the discussion of how genetic similarities show relatedness (hemoglobin…the more amino acid differences, the more different the organisms; look at any specific protein, enzyme, or gene, you will be able to find differences.) The student explains why no comparison of adult structures is given, (no easy-to-see physical similarities…must look at genetics). Supporting details are generally complete.

image of student response

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. Generally complete supporting details are used to discuss embryonic similarities (have gill arches and the gill arches are under the eyes/head; an endoskeleton that is already apparent; made of smaller sections; two eyes as well as a tail-like structure.) DNA is identified as the most reliable evidence for determining relatedness (concrete; can't be easily refuted). Specific methods for determining relatedness among adults are given (live in water; are cold-blooded; have scale like skin…feather; same food sources). Supporting details are generally complete.

image of student response

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

 

No Level 4 annotated guide papers are available at this time
 

Anchor Papers ~ Biology ~ Item 17

The diagram below shows the early embryos of a fish, a reptile, and a bird. The embryos of these organisms are similar in structure and appearance.

  • What other evidence do you see that could be used to determine relatedness?
     
  • Explain what would provide the most reliable evidence that two organisms are related.
     
  • What evidence in adult fish, reptiles, and birds would show relatedness?
     
Write your answer in your Answer Book.

 

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. By briefly stating similarities of the embryos (curved spine; curving in the mouth), the student provides minimal supporting details. No response is given to the last two bullets.

image of student response

 

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. The student uses similar structures to establish relatedness among the embryos (each has gill arches….similar in shape). Though a comparison of adult structure is made, the student makes no attempt to use the comparison to show relatedness. The student does not address bullet two. Supporting details are minimally effective.

image of student response

 

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. The student lists a similarity among the embryos (backbones that extend to the tails) and names DNA as the most reliable evidence to determine relatedness. The same evidence is used to show relatedness among the adult animals (backbone and tail). Supporting details are minimally effective.

image of student response

 

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student uses structural similarities among the embryos to show relatedness (gill arches, a spine, eyes, a "tail" and a "fin"; reptiles and birds have these structures in similar places, and curl up the same way; The best evidence of relatedness… are gill arches since birds neither use or have gills). A more reliable way to show relatedness is identified but not explained (DNA and proteins may provide stronger evidence.) The supporting details are adequate.

image of student response

 

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student provides adequate supporting details. Gill arches are identified as a similarity, and DNA is named as the most reliable evidence to determine relatedness. An excellent discussion of adult-stage related features (fins and wings; scales/skins) and functions (movement mechanisms; lay eggs) strengthens this response.

image of student response

 

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student includes a list of embryonic structures that are similar (gill, arches, rectangular, shaped fin, round eyes), a brief explanation of how DNA can be used to provide the most reliable evidence of relatedness (compare DNA bands; if bands are similar, they're closely related), and a structural similarity in adults that indicates relatedness (they all have unique outer coverings…scales…feathers). The supporting details are adequate.

image of student response

 

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. Structural similarities among the embryos are identified (gill arches…appendages…spinal cavity). Some synthesis of information is evident in the discussion of how genetic similarities show relatedness (hemoglobin…the more amino acid differences, the more different the organisms; look at any specific protein, enzyme, or gene, you will be able to find differences.) The student explains why no comparison of adult structures is given, (no easy-to-see physical similarities…must look at genetics). Supporting details are generally complete.

image of student response

 

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

 

This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. Generally complete supporting details are used to discuss embryonic similarities (have gill arches and the gill arches are under the eyes/head; an endoskeleton that is already apparent; made of smaller sections; two eyes as well as a tail-like structure.) DNA is identified as the most reliable evidence for determining relatedness (concrete; can't be easily refuted). Specific methods for determining relatedness among adults are given (live in water; are cold-blooded; have scale like skin…feather; same food sources). Supporting details are generally complete.

image of student response

 

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

 

No Level 4 annotated guide papers are available at this time