6.2 Evidence Of Evolution

Biogeography  Biogeography: The study of where organisms live now and where they and their ancestors lived before in the past

Biogeography  Closely Related but Different: Biogeography of Island species suggests that populations on the island had evolved from mainland species.

Biogeography  Distantly Related but Similar: Distantly related species can have attributes similar to one another if they are in the same type of environment.  Differences in body structures suggests differences in descent.  Similarities suggests that similar selective pressures influenced their development.

The Age of the Earth and Fossils  The Age of the Earth: Radioactive carbon dating places the age of the Earth at about 4.5 billion years. This allows enough time for evolution to occur.

The Age of the Earth and Fossils  Recent Fossil Finds: Paleontologists have found many intermediary forms of species in the fossil record.

Comparing Anatomy  Homologous Structures: Structures that are shared by related species and that have been inherited from a common ancestor.

Embryology  Embryology: Early development is similar in many species

Genetics and Molecular Biology  Life’s Common Genetic Code: All living cells use information coded in DNA and RNA to carry information from one generation to the next and to direct protein synthesis

Genetics and Molecular Biology  Homologous Molecules: Many homologous proteins have been found which share extensive structural and chemical similarities between species.

Natural Selection  Natural Selection is a Testable Hypothesis!