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schoolworkhelper.net http://schoolworkhelper.net/darwins-theory-homologous-analogous-vestigial-features/ Darwin’s Theory: Homologous, Analogous, Vestigial Features What Darwin Observed Darwin sent specimens collected on his voyage back to England to be examined by experts Fossils collected were confirmed to be large versions of the present day sloth and armadillo The Galapagos Island’s bird specimens were in fact many different species of birds Darwin originally thought they were just variations of the same species Evidence now suggested that a single ancestral species gave rise to a number of similar but distinct species Homologous Features Similar in Origin Different in Function Recent common ancestor May appear in embryonic development and disappear before birth. Analogous Features Different in Origin Similar in Function Lacks recent common ancestor Vestigial Features Structures that serve of no use to the organisms Examples: Dew claws in dogs and toes elevated off the ground in pigs, cattle and deer The appendix in humans Vestigial genes are found in DNA, which serve no function but consists of similar sequences Artificial Selection Artificial Selection – When offspring with desired traits are selected as ‘breeding stock’ for succeeding generations Humans have improved domesticated plant and animal species for thousands of years By selecting offspring with desirable traits as breeding stock for succeeding generations E.g. breeds of dogs, types of corn Darwin’s Assumptions If humans could change the behaviour and appearance of domesticated species, the environment could have similar effects on wild species If Lyell was right about the age of the Earth there could be time for small changes in species to accumulate into large changes over many thousands of generations The Struggle for Survival Darwin was convinced that he had evidence that life had evolved Artificial selection was a model of how evolution might operate in nature But how does nature chose individuals with desirable traits for reproduction – like breeders do with dogs Used Malthus’ postulate to come up with answer In nature both plants and animals produce far more offspring than are able to survive Survival of the Fittest Far more offspring are born than can survive and reproduce – intense competition among individuals of the same species to survive Darwin: “Favourable variations would tend to be preserved, and unfavourable ones to be destroyed. The results of this would be the formation of a new species." Origin of Species In 1860 Darwin published “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection" Darwin: “…can we doubt (remembering that many more individuals are born than can possibly survive) that individuals having any advantage, however slight, over others, would have the best chance of surviving and procreating their kind? On the other hand, we may feel sure that any variation in the least degree injurious would be rigidly destroyed. This preservation of favourable variations and the rejection of injurious variations I call Natural Selection." Natural Selection Supportive Evidence Many scientist were swayed by Darwin’s theory But even with all of the evidence there were still opponents For entirely new species to develop a great length of time was required Not everyone believed the Earth was that old (dating not available at the time) Fossil record at the time was limited No transitional fossil forms from ancient to modern had been found Basilosaurus recently found – ancient relative of whale