Evidence for evolution

Question 1

What are the 4 sources of evidence?

Answer 1

Comparative anatomy, fossils, embryology, molecular biology

Question 2

What is comparative anatomy?

Answer 2

Homologous structure: similar body parts in different species with a common ancestor.
Vestigial structure: body parts that are no longer in use but were important in ancestors.
Analogous structure: body parts that are similar in function but not in structure and do not derive from a common ancestor.

Question 3

What is fossils?

Answer 3

The remains of a dead organism, preserved in rocks.

Question 4

How to estimate how old a fossil is?

Answer 4

Sediment layer and dating using radioisotopes (C14)

Question 5

What is embryology?

Answer 5

Similarities in embryology development

Question 6

How does embryology show evolution? (2 ways)

Answer 6

1. Demonstrate that the genes controlling how an organism develops have been inherited from a common ancestor.
2. Demonstrate that similar characteristics are selected for in similar environments, even in very different species.

Question 7

What is modern molecular biology?

Answer 7

It can estimate how evolutionarily related two species that have no common anatomy are by comparing molecular similarities.

Question 8

What are the characteristics that all life shares?

Answer 8

1. All cells use DNA as a carrier of information
2. All cells use RNA as an intermediate
3. All cells use the same 20 amino acids
4. All cells use ATP as an energy carrier