The evidence supporting the idea that modern birds and reptiles share a common ancestor is that feathers are a derived characteristic that first evolved in reptiles. Feathers represent an evolutionary derived trait.
In evolutionary biology, an autapomorphy is a distinctive phenotypic trait referred to as a derived trait, which is unique to a particular group/taxon.
The derived traits are phenotypic features that arise during the evolution of a particular taxonomic group.
These traits (derived traits) differ from the phenotypic trait of the ancestor of the group.
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Answer:
The given blank can be filled with interferons.
Explanation:
The signaling molecules or the proteins that get discharged by the cell infected by the virus to protect the adjacent cells by stimulating a safeguarding defense mechanism are termed as interferons.
The mentioned proteins obstruct the proliferation of viruses and thus helps the cell in getting rid of the infection. These molecules also assist in stimulating the macrophages and the natural killer cells.