Chapter 8 Flashcards
Evolution
the change in genes of a population on Earth over time
Evolution
the change in genes of a population on Earth over time
Microevolution
the changes in one gene pool of a population over generation
Macroevolution
speciation, the formation of an entirely new species
Individuals never
change or evolve
What is the smallest group that can evolve?
population
Population
consists of all the members of one species in 1 place
There are 6 areas of scientific study that provide evidence for evolution
Fossil record Comparative anatomy Comparative biochemistry Comparative embryology Molecular biology biogeography
Fossil Record
reveals existence of species that have become extinct or have evolved into other species.
Fossil record shows us
- 99% of all organisms that ever lived on earth are now extinct
- Prokaryotic cells are the oldest fossils and were the first organisms to develop on Earth
- Earth is about 4.6 billion years old (we know through studies of radioactive dating and half-life)
Paleontologists have discovered many transitional fossils
that link older extinct fossils to modern species
Archaeopteryx is a fossil that shows
both reptile and bird characteristics
Hyracotherium (Eohippus), the ancient horse
is an ancestor of the modern horse, Equus
Comparative Anatomy
organisms that have similar anatomical structures are related to each other and share a common ancestor
Example of comparative anatomy
Ex. comparing dental structures in chimps and humans demonstrates that we are related + share a common ancestor
Comparative Anatomy:
Homologous structures
the same internal bone structure although the function of each varies , homologous structures are examples of divergent evolution
Examples of homologous structures
the wing of a bat, the lateral fin of a whale, and the human arm show that we are all mammals and diverged from a common ancestor
Comparative Anatomy:
Analogous Structures
have the same function but not the same underlying structure, the similarity is superficial and reflects adaptation to a similar environment
Analogous structures are not evidence of
a common origin or ancestry but of convergent evolution
Example of Analogous Structures
Ex. bat’s wing and a fly’s wing have the same function but diff underlying structure
Comparative anatomy:
Vestigial Structures
structures that are remnants of an earlier active structure, such as the appendix, they are evidence that animals have evolved
Example of Vestigial Structures
Appendix is an example of a structure needed when our ancient ancestors ate a different diet
Comparative Biochemistry
organisms that have a common ancestor will have common biochemical pathways
The more closely related organisms are to each other, the more
similar their biochemistry is.