Evidence for evolution

Question 1

evolution

Answer 1

gradual change of a species over time

Question 2

how is life thought to have started?

Answer 2

life is thought to have evolved from unicellular aquatic bacteria to multicellular organisms

Question 3

anatomy

Answer 3

the more similar the bone structure, the more closely related the species are

Question 4

molecular comparison

Answer 4

-comparison of DNA sequences and amino acid sequences
-the more similar the sequence, the more closely related the species are

Question 5

fossil

Answer 5

the preserved remains of a dead organism from millions of years ago

Question 6

what are the sources of evidence of evolution?

Answer 6

-anatomy
-molecular comparison
-fossils
-evolution today

Question 7

where are fossils found?

Answer 7

in rocks

Question 8

how do fossils form?

Answer 8

hard body parts, such as bones and shells, which do not decay easily or are replaced by minerals as they decompose form fossils

Question 9

evolution today

Answer 9

rapid changes occur in some species due to their fast reproduction rate

Question 10

what is an example of evolution today?

Answer 10

bacteria and headlice

Question 11

how can we use fossils as evidence of evolution?

Answer 11

-fossils of simple organisms are found in old rocks but complex organisms are found in new rocks
-plant fossils form before animal fossils, which shows animals need plants to survive
-by studying the anatomy of an organism in a fossil you can see whether organisms are closely related

Question 12

what are the problems with fossil evidence?

Answer 12

-many organisms decompose before they have a chance to fossilise
-many fossils have been destroyed by volcanic eruptions
-some fossils are waiting to be discovered