1. Evidence for Evolution

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

3. 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

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

6. Example: Horse

10. 2. Homologous Structures

11. Homologous Structures

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

14. Vestigial Organs

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

18. Molecular Evidence
DNA