Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

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Which concept explains that closely related organisms go through equivalent stages of embryonic development?

Comparative anatomy
Comparative embryology
Molecular biology
Genetic drift

The correct answer is: Comparative anatomy

The concept that explains closely related organisms undergoing equivalent stages of embryonic development is known as comparative embryology. This field of study examines the similarities in embryonic development across various species, showing that organisms that are closely related often share similar developmental processes and structures early in their life stages. This shared embryonic development can indicate a common ancestral lineage, supporting the idea of evolution through descent with modification. While comparative anatomy focuses on the structural similarities and differences in the anatomy of different organisms, it does not specifically address the embryonic stages. Molecular biology deals with the molecular mechanisms within organisms, such as DNA and protein synthesis, and genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population. Hence, these concepts, while related to biological study, do not specifically encapsulate the idea of similar embryonic stages among closely related species.