Evidence for Evolution

Question 1

Biogeography Definition

Answer 1

The study of organisms from different places that have very similar features

Includes living and extinct species and provides evidence for common ancestry.

Question 2

What evidence does biogeography provide?

Answer 2

Evidence for common ancestry

This includes organisms from different geographical areas exhibiting similar characteristics.

Question 3

What is comparative anatomy?

Answer 3

The study of organisms with similar bone structures used for similar purposes

It also provides evidence for common ancestry.

Question 4

What are homologous structures?

Answer 4

Structures that have a similar structure but different function

Example: arm of a monkey and wing of a bat.

Question 5

What are analogous structures?

Answer 5

Structures that have differing structures but similar functions

Example: wing of a bird vs. wing of a butterfly.

Question 6

What distinguishes homologous from analogous structures?

Answer 6

Homologous structures come from a common ancestor, while analogous structures do not

Homologous: similar structure, different function; Analogous: differing structure, similar function.

Question 7

What are vestigial structures?

Answer 7

Structures that are left over from evolution, which used to have a function but are now useless

Examples: tailbones, goosebumps, and pelvis in whales.

Question 8

What is embryology?

Answer 8

The study of embryos, which demonstrates that early developmental stages of diverse species often show striking similarities

These similarities suggest a shared ancestry but disappear as the organism develops.

Question 9

What does the fossil record support?

Answer 9

The idea of evolution by showing intermediate phases and telling the ‘story’ of evolution of species

Fossils provide evidence of gradual changes over time.