Support for Evolution There are 4 main types of evidence that supports the theory of evolution: 1. Biochemistry 2. Comparative Embryology 3. Comparative Anatomy 4. Fossil Record

Biochemistry The genetic code is identical for nearly all species.

Comparative Embryology Comparative embryology is the comparison of different animals in various stages of embryonic development. Comparative biology has proven, as you can see in the image, that many animal species, including humans, look very similar in our early and middle stages of embryonic development.

Comparative Anatomy 1. Homologous Structures 2. Analogous Structures 3. Vestigial Structures

Homologous Structures Structures that are similar in anatomical structure May or may not have same function

Analogous Structures Structures that look similar, but are anatomically different Often have the same function

Vestigial Structures Structures that were once useful, but serve no purpose in modern day organisms igial_organs.html igial_organs.html

The Fossil Record

Example of Natural Selection Darwin studied 13 species of finches on the Galapagos Islands. The beak was the distinguishing characteristic. The shape/size of the beak was determined by the food the species of finch ate. win/origin/index.html

Another Example of NS The peppered moth comes in 2 forms – light and dark. During the Industrial Revolution, soot and other industrial wastes darkened tree trunks and killed off lichens. The light-colored morph of the moth became rare and the dark morph became abundant.