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Concept+3+Notes+ +Evidence+of+Evolution

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53 views9 pages

Concept+3+Notes+ +Evidence+of+Evolution

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elijahisamongus
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Evidence of Evolution

There is evidence of evolution in 5 major fields


of science:
1. Paleontology: the study of prehistoric life
2. Biogeography: where living things are located
3. Embryology: the study of the embryonic
development of organisms
4. Anatomy: the study of the structures of
organisms
5. Biochemistry: the study of the chemical
processes in organisms
Evidence in Paleontology
• The fossil record reveals a
history of the types of
organisms that have lived on
Earth (including those that
are extinct) and the ages of
those fossils
– Fossils = remnants of animals
(bones, footprints, feces, etc)
– Transitional fossils have been
found that link extinct species to
current species, which helps
Ex. Archaeopteryx is scientists piece together
the link between evolutionary history
dinosaurs and birds
Evidence in Biogeography
– Island species most closely resemble the
nearest mainland species (not the species on
similar islands on the other side of the ocean)
– Populations can show variation on different
islands (like Darwin saw in the Galapagos)
– This points to divergent evolution patterns
Evidence in Embryology
• The embryos of
vertebrates are very
similar in appearance
early in development
but may grow into
different structures in
the adult form.
– This suggests
common ancestry
among vertebrates
Evidence in Anatomy
1. Homologous
Structures - similar
characteristics resulting
from common
ancestry.
– Same structure, different
function
– Result of divergent
evolution
– The greater the numbers
of shared structures
between two species, the Ex. Humans, Bats, Frogs,
more closely the species Cats, Whales and other
are related. organisms all share the same
forearm structure suggesting
common ancestry
Evidence in Anatomy
2. Vestigial Organs -
structures with little or no
function to the organism.
– Remnants of structures that
had important functions in
ancestors of the species.
– Evidence of divergent
evolution
– Ex. Ostrich’s have wings
but can’t fly
Evidence in Anatomy
3. Analogous structures: similar function,
different structure
– Evolved similar structures due to living in similar
environments, not due to ancestral relatedness
– Evidence of convergent evolution
Evidence in Biochemistry
• DNA and Proteins:
Comparing similarities in the
DNA and A.A. sequences in
different species to find
common ancestry
– Two closely-related organisms
will have similar DNA
sequences.
• Pseudogenes: look like
genes, but no longer
function (the vestigial
structures of genetics)
Ex. Hippopotamus vs. Humpback
whale

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