Evolution- (4) Evidence for Evolution Flashcards
What is Fossil record?
Sedimentary rock contains fossils- providing a fossil record of the history of living organisms. The age of fossils can be approximated based on the depth of the fossil within the rock.
How does fossil record support evolution?
Fossils found in young layers of rock are much more similar to species alive today vs deeper rock.
What is embryology?
The study of early, pre- birth stages of an organisms development.
How does embryology support evolution?
The embryos of different organisms exhibit similar stages of embryonic development.
Ex.) of embryonic evolution?
All vertabre embryo have paired puches or out- pocketings. In amphibians and fish, pouches develop into fins and gills. IN humans the pouches become parts of the ears and throat.
What is comparative anatomy?
Anatomical similarities show a common ancestor.
Whats a Homologous structure?
Two structures with similar anatomies but different functions. (Human arm and wing of a bat)
Whats an analogous structure?
Two structures with different anatomies but similar functions. (Wings in a bird and fins of a fish)
Whats a vestigal structure?
Anatomical structure that were important to ancestors but are no longer used. (Human appendix, hip bone in a baleen whale)
What is molecular biology?
Comparing DNA sequences of different organisms to document genetic change over time and identify common ancestor.
How does molecular biology support evolution?
The genetic code for proteins shows that all life once shared common ancestor.
