Evidence for Evolution
Fossil Record Shows gradual changes in organisms over time Has some major gaps –Caused by: Conditions have to be just right for fossils to form soft-bodied organisms can’t be fossilized (they just get squished) many fossils have been scattered and aren’t intact some fossils destroyed by plate tectonics
Evolution of the Camel
Evolution of the horse
Comparative Anatomy Homologous Structures: body structures with a common embryological origin Example: many animals have forelimbs with similar structures –Derived from the same structures in the embryo –Suggests a common origin
Analogous Structures: different structures in different groups of organisms undergo modifications to serve similar functions Example: wings of bats, birds, and butterflies These do not have a common evolutionary origin
Vestigial Structures Body parts which are considered evolutionary “leftovers” They are present but non-functional –Had a function in some ancient ancestor Examples in humans: –Tailbone –Shriveled up third eyelid –Goosebumps Pelvic bones in whales Eyes in blind salamanders
Comparative Embryology Developing embryos of organisms from fish to humans look almost identical
Fish salamander tortoise chicken pig cow rabbit human
Biochemistry ALL organisms have the same DNA bases of T, A, G, C Organisms with more similar DNA are more closely related