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Evidence of Evolution

The document discusses five evidences that support evolution: fossils, biogeography, comparative anatomy, embryological development, and DNA and protein comparisons. Fossils provide evidence of how organisms have changed over time. Comparative anatomy shows how organisms share characteristics due to common ancestry. Embryo development and DNA comparisons also provide evidence of shared ancestry.

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Marjory De Leon Alberto
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47 views

Evidence of Evolution

The document discusses five evidences that support evolution: fossils, biogeography, comparative anatomy, embryological development, and DNA and protein comparisons. Fossils provide evidence of how organisms have changed over time. Comparative anatomy shows how organisms share characteristics due to common ancestry. Embryo development and DNA comparisons also provide evidence of shared ancestry.

Uploaded by

Marjory De Leon Alberto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Evidences of Evolution

How do we know that species


have changed over time?
What is the science?

5 Evidences for
Evolution
1. Fossils
2. Biogeography
3. Comparative
Anatomy
4. Embryological
Development
5. DNA & Protein
comparisons

1. Fossils
• any remnant of
prior life on earth
(bone, tooth,
imprint, etc.)
• Found in
sedimentary rock,
ice or tar!
• Only 0.01% of all
species can be
found in fossil
record!!!

1
Example of fossils:
evolution of horses.
• When similar organisms are
ordered based on age – natural
evolution/change is seen!
What it tells us:
• Organisms appeared on earth at
different times.
• Organisms on earth today have not
always been here, but they do share
characteristics with extinct
organisms.
• Changes in the environment
influenced the evolution of life. (Mass
extinctions)

Dating of Fossils
2 ways to date fossils:
– Absolute/radioactive
dating
• Uses specific radioactive
atoms and how fast they
break down to date the rock
they are found in
– Relative dating
• **Uses the Law of
Superposition** to figure out
how old an object is based
on placement in rocks.
– Oldest rocks on bottom,
youngest on top
• Geologic Time Scale- Picture
of when things appeared on
Earth

2. Biogeography – comparing species that exist in


different regions of the world.

South American Squirrel Monkey African Vervet Monkey


What it tells us:
Organisms migrate from a place of origin and
evolve into new species.

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3. Comparative Anatomy
3 types
a. Homologous Structures
Same structure, different functions

What it tells us:


Same body parts due to DNA from a common ancestor,
have been modified for different functions in different
environments. (Ex: Whale flipper, Bat wing, Human arm)

b. Analogous Structures =
Same functions, different
structures.

What it tells us:


They suggest how different animals can adapt to the
environment in a similar way. (ex: bees wing, birds wing: both for
flight)

c. Vestigial
Structures = serve
NO function, but have
function in others
organisms.

What it tells us:


Structures may not serve a purpose now but did in the ancestors.
Ancestral DNA still codes for these parts. (Ex: Whale leg bones,
Appendix, snake pelvis)

3
4. Embryo Development
– comparing early
development shows
similarities to other
organisms.

What it tells us:


-Similar genes from a common ancestor control development.
-As development progresses, different genes “turn-on” resulting in
distinctive characteristics

5. DNA & Chemical


Comparisons
• all living things have the same
basic biochemical molecules:
– DNA, ATP, enzymes, same
amino acids to make
proteins

What it tells us:


• Differences in DNA or
differences in specific proteins
show relatedness.
• When combined with fossil age
– lineage becomes clearer

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