4.6.3.4 Evidence for evolution

Question 1

Describe the evidence for evolution including fossils.

Answer 1

• Fossils provide a record of past life forms and how organisms have changed over time
• By examining the fossil record scientists can observe transitional forms that link different species

Question 2

Describe the evidence for evolution including antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Answer 2

• When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics those with genetic mutations that confer resistance survive and reproduce passing on these resistance traits to their offspring
• Over time this leads to emergence of antibiotic-resistance strains of bacteria showcase in the process of natural selection

Question 3

What is now widely accepted?

Answer 3

• The theory of evolution by natural selection

Question 4

Why is evidence of Darwin’s theory now available?

Answer 4

• It has been shown that characteristics are passed on to off springs in genes
• There is further evidence in the fossil record and the knowledge of how resistance to antibiotic evolves in bacteria