Evidence of Evolution

Question 1

What branches of research and evidence does evolution tie together?

Answer 1

Evolution ties together evidence and research from many branches, including paleontology, morphology, biogeography, embryology, and biochemistry. Evidence has also come from direct observation.

Question 2

Paleontology

Answer 2

the study of prehistoric life through the fossil record

Question 3

Fossils

Answer 3

preserved remains of organisms, such as bones, footprints, and fences

Question 4

What does the fossil record reveal?

Answer 4

The fossil record reveals a history of the types of organisms that have lived on Earth (including now-extinct animals) and the ages of those fossils.

Question 5

Morphology

Answer 5

the study of the form of living things

Question 6

Homologous Structures

Answer 6

Similar structures that suggest evidence of common ancestry. Similar structure, but different function, due to being used in different environments.

Question 7

Homologous structures are a result of what?

Answer 7

divergent evolution

Question 8

vestigial structures

Answer 8

structures with little or no function to an organism.
They could be leftover from an ancestor that had used the structure.

Question 9

analogous structures

Answer 9

Similar structures that evolved independently in different organisms due to serving similar purposes
Different structurally but same functionally, due to living in similar environments

Question 10

Biogeography

Answer 10

The study of the geographic distribution of organisms (animals and plants) across the globe

Question 11

What is the distribution of organisms in Biogeography evidence of?

Answer 11

The distribution patterns of organisms correspond with the findings on continental drift and Pangea. Organisms in adjacent geographic regions often share similar features.

Question 12

Endemic species

Answer 12

species that only exist in one geographic location

Question 13

Embryology

Answer 13

the study of embryo development

Question 14

Evidence in Embryology
What does the similarity in the embryos of vertebrates early in development suggest?

Answer 14

Similarities in the embryos of vertebrates early in development suggest common ancestry among vertebrates.

Question 15

Vestigial structures could provide evidence of what?

Answer 15

divergent evolution.

Question 16

Analogous structures are a result of what?

Answer 16

They are a result of convergent evolution

Question 17

Biochemistry

Answer 17

study of chemical processes in living things

Question 18

What is direct observation in the context of evolution?

Answer 18

Direct observation refers to the observation of microevolution that is occurring in populations with short life cycles and that reproduce quickly.

Examples:
Peppered moths
Mosquito resistance to pesticides
MRSA antibiotic resistance

Question 19

Convergent evolution

Answer 19

species occupy similar environments and adapt in similar ways

Question 20

Evidence in Biochemistry
How can analyzing DNA and proteins help us with Evidence of Evolution?

Answer 20

Common ancestry And Closely related species have similar DNA sequences

Question 21

Pseudogenes

Answer 21

Non-functional genes that exist in our genetic sequence, left over from ancestors; think of them as vestigial genes!

Question 22

Pseudogenes are evidence of what?

Answer 22

divergent evolution

Question 23

divergent evolution

Answer 23

species that used to be similar/related separated into two different groups

Question 24

Endemic species serve as evidence for what?

Answer 24

divergent evolution