Evidence for Evolution

There are 5 pieces of evidence that supports evolution. Fossils Biochemistry Biogeography Embryonic development Anatomy (Morphology)

1) Fossils Remnants of living things from the past Fossil record shows stratification: things that lived long ago are buried deeper than the more recent organisms. (Law of Superposition)

2) Biochemistry - By looking at DNA sequence we can see which organisms are more closely related.

3) Biogeography We can compare organisms that live in similar environments in different locations i.e.: we can compare desert organisms in the US the desert organisms in Africa

4) Embryonic development - In early stages of development there are many similarities between different vertebrates. Some organisms are very similar throughout there embryonic development and are more closely related.

5) Anatomy (morphology) Homologous structures – structures that come from a common ancestor Analogous structures – structures that have similar function but do not come from a common ancestor Vestigial structures – structure that does not seem to have a function, but may have at one time functioned.

Homologous structures

Analogous structures

Vestigial structures