The principle of common descent with modification holds that groups of living things can undergo modifications that, over time, can lead to the formation of new _______ and that all living things on Earth are descended from a _______.
Adv.
The principle of common descent with modification is one of the core principles of evolution. The common descent with modification principle states that specific variety of living organisms or species can be subjected to alternations in their future generations, which could lead to formation of a new, distinct species.
This means that some of the organisms in a particular species or the complete species might sometimes, undergo changes in their subsequent generations, which would lead to emergence of a new, distinct species.
Again, these new species could undergo alternations in successive generations, resulting is emergence of another set of distinct species. This process occurs again and again. Thus, one species evolved into two separate species, two species would again evolve into four distinct species, and so on.
This can also be represented as one species, branching into two species, and the two species, again dividing into four species, and so on. So, all the newly evolved species will definitely have a common ancestor.
Thus, it can be concluded that all living things on earth share a common predecessor. It can also be said that all living organisms on earth have eventually originated from a single primordial ancestor.
Hence, the correct answers are separate species and common ancient ancestor.
During the formulation of his theory of evolution by natural selection, Darwin brought together ideas and results from several disciplines. Match the person with the phrase that describes his work.
| a. Lyell | Evidence of extinction of species |
| b. Wallace | One form of organism can evolve into another |
| c. Lamarck | Natural selection as a mechanism underlying evolution |
| d. Cuvier | Geological forces observable today caused changes in Earth |