evidence for evolution (chapter 10)

Question 1

evidence for evolution

Answer 1

• paleontology - the study of fossils
• comparative anatomy - the study of similarities and differences of organisms anatomy
• comparative biochemistry - similarities and differences between the chemical makeup of organisms.

Question 2

paleontology

Answer 2

• fossils of the simplest forms are found in the oldest rocks (e.g. bacteria), more complex organisms are found in more recent rocks. This supports evolutionary theory that simple life forms gradually evolved over a long period of time.
• the sequence in how organisms are found match the ecological links to eachtoher ( plant fossils are found before animal fossils bc animals need plants to survive.)
• by studying the anatomy of fossil organisms, scientists can see how closely related organisms have evolved from the same ancestor.
• allow relationships between extinct and living organisms to be investigated.

Question 3

comparative anatomy

Answer 3

• since the fossil record is incomplete, scientists use similarities and differences in the anatomy of different living species.
• the presence of homologous structures provides evidence for divergent evolution.

Question 4

divergent evolution

Answer 4

when groups from the same ancestor evolve and form new species.

Question 5

comparative biochemistry

Answer 5

• the study of S and D in the proteins and other molecules.
• slight changes in these molecules can help identify evolutionary links.
• to discover how closely 2 species are related, the molecular sequence of a molecule is compared.
• the number of differences are plotted against the rate of neutral substitutions, scientists can then estimate the point when the species last shared a common ancestor.