U7: Chapter 20; Common Descent

biogeography

study of organisms and how they relate to their environment

fossils

help indicate the progression of organisms from simple to complex

comparative anatomy

study of anatomical similarities between organisms

homologous structures

structures in organisms that indicate a common ancestor, all have similar structure but may have different function

vestigial structuers

remnants of structures that were at one time important for ancestral organisms

comparative embyrology

comparing the embryonic development of one organism to another

molecular biology

used in the study of evolution by looking at homology in DNA and protein sequences and genes; this study allows for an even broader level of comparison between organisms as different as prokaryotes, plants, and humans