Scientists have discovered homeotic genes in many kinds of organisms, including fruit flies, mice, and humans. These homeotic genes regulate gene expression and control patterns of development in specific regions of young embryos. Molecular biologists have learned that homeotic genes share a very similar nucleotide sequence, which controls the development of similar portions of fly and mouse embryos. They have found a similar set of genes in humans, which also control corresponding regions of the developing human embryo.

Which of the following statements summarizes a conclusion based upon the evidence contributed by molecular biologists?

Homeotic Genetics

A.
Patterns of development among different animal species did not evolve from a common ancestor.
B.
Humans evolved from flies.
C.
Similar patterns of development increase an organism’s likelihood of surviving and reproducing.
D.
Fruit flies, mice, and humans provide evidence of divergent evolution.