Unit 3 - Study Guide: Evidence for Evolution

Evidence for Evolution

Types of Evidence for Evolution

• Several types of evidence support evolution:
  • Fossils
  • Comparative Anatomy
    • Homologous Structures
    • Analogous Structures
    • Vestigial Structures
  • Natural Selection
  • Embryos
  • DNA
  • Amino Acids

Comparative Anatomy

• Definition: Comparative anatomy is the comparison of the structure (anatomy) of one animal or plant with the structure of a different animal or plant.

Examples of Comparative Anatomy

• Similar bone structures between animals, such as in forelimbs.

Determining Common Ancestry Using Comparative Anatomy

• Comparative anatomy can be used to determine if two organisms share common ancestry by comparing:
  • Structures
  • DNA
  • Homologous structures

Homologous Structures

• Definition: Homologous Structures are physical features (individual variations of a common anatomical theme).
• Seen in closely related organisms, indicating common descent and shared ancestry.
• Related species with different functions but similar structures.

Analogous Structures

• Definition: Analogous structures are structures in different, non-related species that have developed similar functions.