Evidence for Evolution Big Idea 1: The process of Evolution drives the diversity and unity of life
Essential Knowledge 1A4: Biological evolution is supported by scientific evidence from many disciplines, including mathematics. 1B1: Orgs share many conserved core processes and features that evolved and are widely distributed among orgs today
Molecular, morphological, and genetic info of existing and extinct organisms add to our understanding of evolution.
Evidence #1: Fossils!
Ardi- Ardipithecus ramidus 4.4 mya
LUCY- Australopithecus afarensis 3.2 mya
How do We Age Fossils? Radioactive Dating: tool used to date fossils. Fossils: made up of some radioactive elements, like Carbon 14
Fossil Record Record of all fossils found. Not complete 1) Not all orgs can be preserved (jellyfish) 2) Found in sedimentary rock, which is made in/by the sea. 3) Weather destroys fossils.
1) Some species do not last forever due to changing environments. Fossil Record Show? 1) Some species do not last forever due to changing environments. 2) Change is always occurring on Earth in its orgs; change to adapt to new environments.
Evidence #2: Morphologies
Homologous Structures Sharing similar body parts shows common ancestry. Can be internal or external, and may not have same function now.
Vestigial Structures Remnants of functional structures Used for comparison w/ fossils for evolutionary proof
PBS Fossil Whale Evolution Video Clip
TPS: What Other Homologies or Vestigial Structures do you know of?
Structures Show Common Ancestry Divergent Evolution!
Things we ALL have in COMMON due to Common Ancestry Genetic Material: DNA or RNA A, T, C, G, Sugar and Phosphate in that genetic code. Metabolic pathways, such as PS or Respiration!
In Eukaryotes Specifically… Cytoskeleton Membrane Bound Organelles Linear Chromosomes Endomembrane Systems (Nuc Envelope)
Evidence #3: Genetics!
Molecular Evidence Analysis of DNA nucleotide or protein sequences (Cytochrome c) Similar sequences closer evolutionary relationships
With this evidence, you create….