Download The Fossil Record

Evidence of Evolution
234-240
1. What evidence supports
evolution?
Page 234
1.
2.
3.
4.
Similar body structures
Patterns of early development
Similarities in DNA
Fossils
2. What is comparative anatomy?
• The comparison of structures of different
organisms
• The more similar the anatomy, the more
closely related the organisms are.
3. What are homologous
structures?
• Similar structures that related species
have inherited from a common ancestor
4. What are vestigial structures?
• Structures you have
that you no longer
use (useless)
• Ex: appendix &
wisdom teeth
• Ex: whale hip bones
Whale hip bones
5. What is comparative
development?
• Comparing how different species develop
before birth.
• The more similar the development; the
more closely related the organisms are
6. What is comparative DNA?
• Comparing genes of different species to
determine how closely related they are.
• The more similar the DNA sequences; the
more closely related the organisms are
7. What is a fossil?
• The remains or imprints of once-living
organisms found in layers of rock.
• They provide clues to Earth’s past
8. What do we learn from fossils?
• The fossil record provides evidence about
the history of life and past environments
on Earth.
• Use fossils to study the rate at which
evolution has occurred.
9. What is gradualism?
• Idea that evolution occurs slowly but
steadily
10. What is punctuated equilibria?
• Idea that evolution occurs quickly and is
followed by long periods of little to no
change.
• Explains gaps in fossil record.