Download Aim 42 BLANK - Manhasset Schools

Unit 6: Evolution
Name:
Date:
Aim #42 Evidence of Evolution: What evidence do we have to support the theory of evolution?
I.
What is the Theory of Evolution?
What is Evolution?
Why is Evolution
considered a theory?
The process of ___________________ in species ___________________
This theory has been extensively __________________ and __________________ as the central
theme of modern biology because so much ________________________ for evolution has been
collected that it has been claimed as a theory.
What does the theory
of Evolution
explain?
The theory explains why there are ________________________ in structure, function,
biochemistry, and behavior among all life forms and why __________________ occur within
populations over many generations.
How does the theory
of Evolution help
scientists?
It helps make _______________________ about the natural world, understand the
__________________ and _________________ among different organisms, and understand how
changes in the ____________________ affects the survival of species.
II.
Evolutionary Timeline
The age of Earth is about
______ billion years old
PAST
PRESENT TIME
_____ billion years ago there were
Now we have ______________
___________ ____________ celled organisms
_____________ celled organisms
III.
Evidence of Evolution:
The theory of evolution helps biologists understand how the variations among individuals can lead to changes in an
entire species of organism. Ever since the theory was first suggested by Charles Darwin, the concept of evolution has
been refined by massive amounts of evidence offered by thousands of scientists.
1)
THE FOSSIL RECORD

A ________________ is a remain of an organism that no longer
exists. The _____________________ is a collection of fossils that
provides a detailed record of Earth’s organisms

Why is this important?
o
Present day ___________ celled organisms developed from
___________ celled organisms

Oldest layer ________
Youngest layer _____

Oldest fossil _______
Youngest fossil _____

Complex fossil _____
Simple fossil _______
2) COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
o
Reveals ________________ in environments as well as
species
o
Rock layers indicate the ___________ period and fossils at
specific times

Observations of basic structural or ____________________
similarities between organisms.

_________________________ structures have a ___________
structure but a ______________ function.

Why is this important?
o
These mammals have a common _________________ but
have __________________ to survive in different


environments
Similarities between structures: ______________
Differences between structures: ______________
3) COMPARATIVE EMBRYOLOGY

Observations that ________________ of closely related organisms
go through ________________ stages of embryonic development.

Why is this important?
o
It suggests common ______________. But, as the
development continues, the characteristic traits of each
species become more _____________
4)
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY 
All living things are related and have many biochemical similarities
such as _________, ________________, ________________, and
_____________________.

More reliable than _____________________ similarities

Why is this important?
o
Reveals how _______________ related different species are
which can indicate common ___________________
Evolution Practice Questions