OPSC Whales and Wolves Comparison

Last updated almost 2 years ago

22 questions

State one thing you notice about the backbone in whales and wolves.

Examine the skull shape (cards C and F). State ONE thing you notice about the shape of the skulls.

Look at cards E and G (Teeth). State ONE notice about the teeth in whales and wolves.

Look at cards J and H (Nostrils). State ONE notice about the nostrils.

Scientists use what are known as diagnostic structures and DNA to determine how related two organisms are. Diagnostic means something that can be used for identification or classification. 

The more diagnostic structures shared between two organisms, the more closely related they are, and they have a recent common ancestor. The fewer diagnostic structures shared between two organisms, the further their relation and the more distanct the common ancestor.

OPSC Whales and Wolves Comparison

OPSC Whales and Wolves Comparison

State one thing you notice about the backbone in whales and wolves.

Examine the skull shape (cards C and F). State ONE thing you notice about the shape of the skulls.

Look at cards E and G (Teeth). State ONE notice about the teeth in whales and wolves.

Look at cards J and H (Nostrils). State ONE notice about the nostrils.

State one thing you notice about the backbone in whales and wolves.

Examine the skull shape (cards C and F). State ONE thing you notice about the shape of the skulls.

Look at cards E and G (Teeth). State ONE notice about the teeth in whales and wolves.

According to card E, what are the teeth in whales adapated for eating?

According to card G, what are the teeth in wolves are adapated for eating?

Look at cards J and H (Nostrils). State ONE notice about the nostrils.

In which museum exhibit do you think the mystery fossil belongs?

Having a backbone is

Look at cards B and I. Are both whales and wolves mammals?

The shape of the skull is

According to card E, what are the teeth in whales adapated for eating?

According to card G, what are the teeth in wolves are adapated for eating?

The shape and spacing of teeth are

Look at the cards J and H (nostrils). In what animal has the placement of the nostrils has gradually evolved to the top of the skull?

The location of the nostril is

Examine the images of the Orca Whale and Gray Wolf skeleton. What structures are DIFFERENT in the whale and wolf. Click on all the structures.

Scientists determine how closely related two animals are by comparing diagnostic structures and

Look at the mystery fossils nostril. Where is the nostril located?

Looking back to cards J and H, the nostril of the mystery fossil is more similar to

How would you describe the skull shape of the mystery fossil?

Look at the mystery fossils teeth. The teeth are

Looking back at cards E and G, the teeth shape of the mystery fossil is simalar to

Compare the skull shape of the mystery fossil to cards C and F. The skull of the mystery fossil is similar to

After analyzing the Mystery Fossil's structure and comparing them to the structures of whales and wolves, which claim do you think is more stronlgy supported by the evidence?