Proofs of Evolution

Question 1

Biogeography

Answer 1

Organisms in certain geographic locations have similar traits as each other.
Ex. Australia - Kangaroos and Koalas

Question 2

Fossil Record

Answer 2

The most compelling proof of evolution
- bones or bodies of organisms mineralize and become fossils over thousands/millions of years.
- intermediate forms (transitional forms) of present day organisms existed in the past.
- age of fossils determined by:
i) Relative Dating
ii) Absolute Dating

Question 3

Relative Dating

Answer 3

orders fossils relative to each other based on their parent rock

Question 4

Absolute Dating

Answer 4

actual age is determined via radiometric dating techniques

Question 5

Comparative Anatomy

Answer 5

• Divergent Evolution
• Convergent Evolution
• Vestigial Organs

Question 6

Comparatice embryology

Answer 6

• During development embryos of different species look almost identical
• This suggests a common ancestral origin

Question 7

Molecular Biology

Answer 7

*Fastest growing type of proof since biotechnology keeps improving
- DNA similarities prove the extent to which we are related to other primates ex. chimpanzees are 98% similar genetically
- Other biomolecules - myoglobin & hemoglobin ex. protein structures are almost identical between different species.

Question 8

Adaptive Colouration

Answer 8

*Exemplified by “Industrial Melanism” in the Peppered Moths of England
- Originally trees in the area were clean and whitish colour.
- The peppered moth was known to be made up of 80% white moths and 20% black moths.
- The trees began to get dirty or soot covered.
- After, the gene percent changed to 80% black and 20% white because white moths were eaten faster since they were more visible on dirty black trees.

Question 9

Changes in the beak shape of Darwin’s Finches

Answer 9

• The finches (birds) on the Galapagos Islands developed beak sizes and shapes to accommodate the food sources that were available on the island.
  *these birds also demonstrated “adaptive radiation”

Question 10

Antibiotic Resistance

Answer 10

• Bacteria are usually killed by certain antibiotics, however over tine the antibiotics my stop working.
• If an evolved strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria show up, they will share their DNA and ‘teach’ new generations to be resistant to antibiotics.

Question 11

Artificial Selection

Answer 11

• Humans choose desirable traits in wild animals and plants therefore making them domesticated. Ex. wolves lead to domesticated dogs.

Question 12

Divergent Evolution

Answer 12

Divergent Evolution leading to homologous structures
- bones in limbs (or other parts of thee body) are identical in number and similar in shape in diff species.

Question 13

Convergent Evolution

Answer 13

Convergent Evolution leading to analogous structures
- a common need leads to a similar structure
- eyes are beneficial to survival

Question 14

Vestigial Organs

Answer 14

• Different organisms have structures that don’t seem
  to have a present day function
• But if we look at common ancestors, there
  used to be a function