Evidence of Evolution 234 240 1 What evidence

Evidence of Evolution 234 -240

1. What evidence supports evolution? Page 234 1. 2. 3. 4. Similar body structures Patterns of early development Similarities in DNA Fossils

2. What is comparative anatomy? • The comparison of structures of different organisms • The more similar the anatomy, the more closely related the organisms are.

3. What are homologous structures? • Similar structures that related species have inherited from a common ancestor

4. What are vestigial structures? • Structures you have that you no longer use (useless) • Ex: appendix & wisdom teeth • Ex: whale hip bones

Whale hip bones

5. What is comparative development? • Comparing how different species develop before birth. • The more similar the development; the more closely related the organisms are

6. What is comparative DNA? • Comparing genes of different species to determine how closely related they are. • The more similar the DNA sequences; the more closely related the organisms are

7. What is a fossil? • The remains or imprints of once-living organisms found in layers of rock. • They provide clues to Earth’s past

8. What do we learn from fossils? • The fossil record provides evidence about the history of life and past environments on Earth. • Use fossils to study the rate at which evolution has occurred.

9. What is gradualism? • Idea that evolution occurs slowly but steadily

10. What is punctuated equilibria? • Idea that evolution occurs quickly and is followed by long periods of little to no change. • Explains gaps in fossil record.