Post on 16-Jan-2016
Evidence of Evolution
Multiple lines of evidence support the theory
Objectives
• Describe how fossils provide of evidence of evolution.
• Discuss morphological evidence of evolution.
• Explain how biochemistry provides evidence of evolution.
Fossil evidence
• Fossils provide a record of species.• Not all extinct fossils have modern
counterparts.---some species remain unchanged.
• Intermediate fossils—developed transitional forms between species.
1.ancestral traits—evolved from a common ancestor.
2.derived traits—newly developed traits
Comparative Anatomy
• Homologous structures—similar structures inherited from a common ancestor.
• Vestigial structure—are the reduced forms of functional structures in other animals.
• Analogous structures—superficially similar in construction, but not inherited from a common ancestor. Beetle wings/ eagle wings
Comparative Embryology
• Vertebrate provide glimpse into evolutionary relationships.
• Comparative biochemistry—shared metabolic molecules that many different organisms share. Patterns in biochemistry of proteins—DNA and RNA.
Geographic distribution
• Darwin realized that the mara occupied a niche similar to that the rabbit inhabited in Europe. However, it was more closely to other South American species than it was to the rabbit in Europe.
• Biogeography—the distribution of plants and animals around the world.
Adaptations
• Fitness is a measure of the relative contribution an individual trait makes to the next generation.
• Camouflage—
• Mimicry—
• Consequences of adaptation—spandrel example and the human example
Homework
P. 420
Study for quiz, Friday