Question

Although they have significant differences, plants and animals are both classified in the domain Eukarya. Which of the following best describes a characteristic all Eukarya share that supports the idea they have a common ancestor?

A) They all have a membrane-bound nucleus that houses their DNA.
B) They all reproduce asexually through mitosis and meiosis.
C) They are all heterotrophs that require an energy source to grow.
D) They are all multicellular and grow via cellular division.

Answer 1

i think d

Answer 2

Can you provide your reasoning to that answer? This is a study guide for the upcoming midterm so I'd like to know

Answer 3

amoebas are single-celled eukaryotes, so D can't be right ;-)

try again.

Answer 4

Ok I think it would be best if I tried eliminating the obvious wrong ones.
B, and D are not it. C is also not it since plants are autotrophs that produce oxygen.

Leaving A the only reasonable answer. @Schleifspur can you confirm? :)

Answer 5

Very good! :-)

Now, the story behind the membrane-bound nucleus is pretty interesting, Because nobody really knows why there's a membrane around it. Case is easier for mitochondria and chloroplasts, because they are elegantly and complete explained by endosymbiont theory (a cell 'eats' an autotroph prokaryote > explains double membrane and why chloroplasts have their own DNA).

But in case of the nucleus, there is a variety of theories that explain why it is like it is. :-)

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_nucleus#Evolution