The term “Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny” means?

Question

1. Parallel evolution is seen in similar habitats on isolated continents
2. Embryos show characteristics of ancestors during development
3. Relatedness of species across continents is correlated with time of geological separation
4. Homology is seen in most structures of closely related forms



Select your answer from A-E below
A. 1 C. 3 E. 1, 3
B. 2 D. 4

Answer 1

B. 2 The developing embryo shows signs of precursor organisms in the evolutionary chain, in the order of its evolution.

Answer 2

I believe the correct answer is B, 2. This is why human embryos have gill slits and a long fish tail that later withers away, indicating we evolved from lower vertebrates, etc. The embryo repeats these steps as it forms. Kind of neat, huh?