Download Evidence for Evolution

40 Points
Evidence for Evolution
Name
Part I: The picture below shows the forelimbs of mammals and how the bone structures are similar.
The forelimbs provide locomotion, or movement, for all these mammals. All of the forelimbs are
homologous structures, showing that they have similar structure and function. This provides evidence
for evolution by showing how mammals have evolved similar anatomical structures. Follow the
instructions for coloring and then answer the questions on the next page.
Coloring Instruction:
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Scapula (A)- Red
Humerus (B)- Orange
Radius (C)- Yellow
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Ulna (D)- Green
Carpals (E)- Blue
Metacarpals(F)- Purple
Phalanges (G)- Brown
Forelimb ()- Grey
+10 pts.
F
E
D
C
G
A
A
G
F
B
B
C
E
*
D
F
*
G
A
*
A
*
A
B
B
B
D
C
C
E
C
D
G F
D
G
E
E
G
G
F
A
G
A
B
D
C
B
E
C
*
F
D
G
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1
G
F
Part I Questions:
1. What is the common function of all these forelimbs?
2-4. Describe at least 3 similarities in the structure of mammalian forelimbs.
1)
2)
3)
5. How do these similarities support the Theory of Evolution?
Part II: The picture shows embryonic development of several. Use it to answer the questions below.
Eye
Auditory
Vesicle
Gill
Slits
Tail
Notochord
(becomes spinal
cord /vertebrae)
Part II Questions:
6. At which stage is it the most difficult to tell the embryos apart? (I, II, or III?)
7-9. Describe at least 3 similarities in the structure of these embryos
1)
2)
10. How do these similarities support the Theory of Evolution?
2
3)
Part IV: Examining the relationships between biological molecules, such as proteins or DNA can tell scientists how
closely related organisms are. The more similar these molecules are, the more recently the organisms had a common ancestor.
Follow the directions for each table.
11. There are 146 amino acids in the protein hemoglobin. This table shows a portion of the amino acid sequence for hemoglobin for 6
different mammals. Circle or highlight the amino acids in the chimp, gorilla, monkey, horse, and kangaroo sequences that differ
from those in the human sequence.
Amino Acid #

Human
Chimp
Gorilla
Rhesus
Monkey
Horse
Kangaroo
Amino Acid #

Human
Chimp
Gorilla
Rhesus Monkey
Horse
Kangaroo
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
thr
thr
thr
leu
leu
leu
ser
ser
ser
glu
glu
glu
leu
leu
leu
his
his
his
cys
cys
cys
asp
asp
asp
lys
lys
lys
leu
leu
leu
his
his
his
val
val
val
asp
asp
asp
pro
pro
pro
glu
glu
glu
gln
leu
ser
glu
leu
his
cys
asp
lys
leu
his
val
asp
pro
glu
ala
lys
leu
leu
ser
ser
glu
glu
leu
leu
his
his
cys
cys
asp
asp
lys
lys
leu
leu
his
his
val
val
asp
asp
pro
pro
glu
glu
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
asn
asn
asn
asn
asn
asn
phe
phe
phe
phe
phe
phe
arg
arg
lys
lys
arg
lys
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
gly
gly
gly
gly
gly
gly
asn
asn
asn
asn
asn
asn
val
val
val
val
val
ile
leu
leu
leu
leu
leu
ile
val
val
val
val
ala
val
cys
cys
cys
cys
leu
ile
val
val
val
val
val
cys
leu
leu
leu
leu
val
leu
ala
ala
ala
ala
ala
ala
his
his
his
his
arg
glu
13-23.The table shows the number of amino acids in cytochrome c that differ between several organisms and humans. Cytochrome c is a
protein found in mitochondria. It is often studied because most organisms have mitochondria and therefore they have cytochrome
c. Rewrite the information in the blank table by listing the organisms IN ORDER with the greatest number of differences at the top
and the least at the bottom.
Species Comparison
Human—chimp
Human—fruit fly
Human—horse
Human—pigeon
Human—rattlesnake
Human—red bread mold
Human—rhesus monkey
Human—screwworm fly
Human—snapping turtle
Human—tuna
Human—wheat
Species Comparison
# of differences
0
29
12
12
14
48
1
27
15
21
43
# of differences
Part IV Questions: Use all of the above tables to answer the questions below.
24-25.On the basis of hemoglobin similarity, which organism appears to be most closely related to humans? least related?
Most =
Least=
25-26.On the basis of cytochrome c similarity, which organism appears to be most closely related to humans? least related?
Most =
Least=
27. If the amino acids sequences in the proteins of two organisms are similar, why will their DNA also be similar?
28. Many biologists believe that the number of differences between the proteins of different species indicates how long ago the species
diverged from a common ancestor. Why do these same biologists believe that humans, chimps, and gorillas diverged from a
common ancestor only a few million years ago?
3
Name That Descendant
Background:
You are about to see a series of ancient creatures that have been sketched based off fossil evidence. All of
these creatures have a “modern descendant” (this means they are related to something alive today and it is a very
popular animal). It is your job to analyze the evidence and figure out the modern descendant. Again, all the
pictured creatures are related to each other and to the modern ancestor.
You will be “discovering” these creatures one at a time, just like paleontologists have AND they will be
in chronological order (meaning the order in which they lived). These creatures are all at least 50 million years
old. Pay attention to how your ideas change with each new discovery and BE SPECIFIC in your observations and
inferences. Each card will include the following information:
1
Picture of creature
based on fossils and
other scientific
evidence
This is the order
number for when you
should see the card (1st,
2nd, etc. DON’T GO
OUT OF ORDER!!!
Procedure:
Cut out the card on pg. 7. Cut the sheet across the dotted line first. Do not analyze the cards yet. Put them
in order and turn them face down on your desk. You will turn over the cards ONE AT A TIME in order.
DO NOT LOOK AT ANY OF THE OTHER CARDS UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO IN THE
INSTRUCTIONS!!!
Remove card #1 and examine it.
Paste it to the right:
29-30. Answer the following questions:
a. What is the modern descendant?
b. Explain your answer for “a”? (2-3 complete sentences)
4
Remove card #2 and examine it.
Paste it to the right:
31-32. Answer the following questions:
a. What is the modern descendant?
b. Explain your answer for “a”? (2-3 complete sentences)
Remove card #3 and examine it.
Paste it to the right:
33-34. Answer the following questions:
a. What is the modern descendant?
b. Explain your answer for “a”? (2-3 complete sentences)
5
Remove card #4 and examine it.
Paste it to the right:
35-36. Answer the following questions:
a. What is the modern descendant?
b. Explain your answer for “a”? (2-3 complete sentences)
Remove card #5 and examine it.
Paste it to the right:
37-38. Answer the following questions:
a. What is the modern descendant?
b. Explain your answer for “a”? (2-3 complete sentences)
6
Conclusion: Answer the following based on the lab and IN COMPLETE SENTENCES!
39-40. Explain how science is tentative (ever-changing, subject to revisions, based on human values of the
time, unable to be proven/disproven).
1
5
2
4
3
7
7