Evidence For Evolution

Fossils and evidence for evolution.
 Fossil record provides evidence for evolution:


The similarities between fossils
(structural homology).

They show evidence of change over time.

Evolution has not occurred gradually but in
spurts as small populations adapted quickly
to change.
 Problems interpreting fossil records.

Fossil record is incomplete (fossilisation is
a chancy process).
Evidence for evolution
 Since evolution is a change of characteristics of a species

over many generations, we must look for remains of dead
animals, such as bones, teeth, footprints or impressions of
body parts that have been preserved- i.e. fossils.
 Besides using fossils, evidence for evolution is also
provided by the following comparative studies:

Comparative anatomy

Comparative embryology

Comparative protein sequence

Comparative DNA

Geographic distribution (Biogeography)
1. Comparative anatomy
a. Homologous structures: compares the structural
features of related animals to ascertain the degree of
similarity between them. We look at homologous organs.
Similar homologous organs = common ancestor

b. Vestigial organs: are reduced structures of no apparent

function (e.g. nictitating membrane, coccyx, appendix,
third molar, ear muscles, etc…).
 This could explain an evolutionary trend whereby those
organs where functional in earlier ancestors.
2. Comparative embryology
 Compares the early developmental stages of
organisms. In early development stages, all
vertebrates share gill slits and arches.
2. Comparative embryology
 Also common to all the embryos
are a tail and a two-chambered
heart.
3-chambered heart
4-chambered heart
2-chambered heart
3. Comparative protein sequence

 Modern biochemical techniques enable the sequencing
the amino acids in a ubiquitous protein (Cytochrome c).
 A ubiquitous protein is one which perform basic but
essential task for all organism to live. They carry the same
task in different organisms.
 By comparing the type and sequence of amino acids in
similar proteins from different species, the degree of
similarity can be established.
Longer time period= greater number of amino acids that

are different.
Man's  & -chain haemoglobin = Chimp’s  & -chain
haemoglobin
4. Comparative DNA (Biochemistry – molecular evidence)

 All species of organism have DNA. The degree of
similarities between the DNA of two species is called
genetic distance. Chimpanzees share 98.5% of human
DNA.
 The most refined biochemical techniques. It is concerned
with the sequences of four bases along a DNA chain. The
more similar sequencing of bases, the closer the relation of
the animals, and, the evidence of a common ancestor.
 Despite the common ancestor, the code in the DNA will be
different for different species. New genes would be gained
by mutation; others would be lost by natural selection,
genetic drift or some other process.
 The comparison is based on DNA hybridization.

Horse Vs Donkey Mule
Tiger Vs Lion Liger
All living things use the same DNA code = all living things are related
5. Geographic distribution – Biogeography

Biogeography is the study of where organisms live
now and where they and their ancestors lived in the
past. Abiotic factors impacts distribution.
 Darwin noted two biogeographical patterns useful
to his theory.
The first is a pattern in which closely-related
species differentiate in slightly different climates.
The second is a pattern in which very distantly-
related species develop similarities in similar
environments.
5. Geographic distribution – Biogeography

Biogeography of the Galapagos species suggest that
populations on the island had evolved from mainland
species.
Over time, natural selection on the islands produced
variations among populations that resulted in
different, but closely-related, island species; i.e.
different beak shapes.
 The Galapagos finches evolved as natural selection acted on
their genetic variation so they can adapt to their
environment.
 Approximately ¾ of the 650000 species in Australia are
endemic to the country. They have evolved after Australia
separated from Gondwanaland.

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Evidence For Evolution

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Fossils and evidence for evolution.

 Fossil record provides evidence for evolution:

 Since evolution is a change of characteristics of a species

Similar homologous organs = common ancestor

b. Vestigial organs: are reduced structures of no apparent

3. Comparative protein sequence

Longer time period= greater number of amino acids that

Man's  & -chain haemoglobin = Chimp’s  & -chain

4. Comparative DNA (Biochemistry – molecular evidence)

 The comparison is based on DNA hybridization.

5. Geographic distribution – Biogeography

5. Geographic distribution – Biogeography

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