MS-LS4-2

Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.

  1. Animals

    What biologists call a species is becoming more than just a name

    The tree of life — evolution — has been reshaping how scientists name and classify organisms. Some want naming to reflect evolutionary groups even more.

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  2. Animals

    Will the woolly mammoth return?

    Scientists are using genetic engineering and cloning to try to bring back extinct species or save endangered ones. Here’s how and why.

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  3. Fossils

    Baby pterosaurs may have been able to fly right after hatching

    A bone crucial for lift-off was stronger in hatchling pterosaurs than in adults. The baby reptiles also had shorter, broader wings than grown-ups.

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  4. Fossils

    Ancient creature revealed as lizard, not a teeny dinosaur

    CT scans of 99-million-year-old fossils of hummingbird-sized specimens trapped in amber reveal a number of lizardlike features.

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  5. Archaeology

    Fossils unearthed in Israel reveal possible new human ancestor

    They come from a previously unknown Stone Age group that may represent a complex mashup of early members of our genus Homo.

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  6. Animals

    Let’s learn about whales and dolphins

    Whales, dolphins and porpoises are all cetaceans — mammals that live in water and have a streamlined body similar to a fish.

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  7. Humans

    How scientists can get a better picture of our extinct relatives

    Facial reconstructions of extinct species have historically been more art than science. Some researchers hope to change that.

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  8. Genetics

    Europe’s ancient humans often hooked up with Neandertals

    DNA from ancient bones shows humans and Neandertals were regularly mixing genes by about 45,000 years ago.

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  9. Fossils

    Rhinos, camels and bone-crushing dogs once roamed Nebraska

    Scientists digging into the remnants of an ancient watering hole in Nebraska discovered evidence of an Africa-like savanna, complete with rhinos.

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  10. Life

    Scientists Say: Genus

    A genus is a group of closely related species. It’s the first part of the two-part system called binomial nomenclature, used to name living things.

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  11. Fossils

    Scientists Say: Dinosaur

    Dinosaurs emerged between 243 and 233 million years ago. While some died out 66 million years ago, others are still with us — birds.

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  12. Animals

    Explainer: Black bear or brown bear?

    If you see a bear, check size, shape and more to find out what type it is.

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