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