Evidence for Evolution

Major Evidence for Evolution Fossil record Homologous structures Vestigial structures Biochemical evidence Embryological development

Charles Darwin 1859 – “Origin of Species” published Argued from evidence that species inhabiting Earth today descended from ancestral species Proposed a mechanism for evolution  Natural Selection Many scientists helped pave the way for Darwin’s Theory Alfred Wallace  same idea; encouraged Darwin to publish his work

1. Fossil Record What does the Fossil Record tell us about organisms?

Example: Horse

2. Homologous Structures

Homologous Structures

3. Vestigial Structures Structures that serve no function but useful structures in earlier ancestors Examples: Ear muscles Human tailbone

Vestigial Organs

4. Embryological Development Embryos of certain species develop almost identically in early ages, but differentiate late in development

Molecular Evidence DNA