Evidence for Evolution Flashcards
What does paleontology show us?
Organisms change gradually over time- as reflected in the fossil record
What does biogeography show us?
New species arise near the location of other similar species. Similar species share a common time and place.
What does developmental biology show us?
Organisms build on ancestral features as they develop from a single cell/embryo
What does the study of developmental biology (embryology) show when comparing most vertebrates?
They look and have similar structures
What is morphology?
The study of the structures of living organisms, and the relationships between their structures
What are homologous structures?
Body parts that are similar in both structure and function
What are vestigial organs?
Structures that have no function
What does morphology show us?
Organisms adapt ancestral features to new uses, even when there are more efficient solutions
What does genetics show us?
Similar sets of DNA can indicate close relatives
