Evidence for Evolution

Big Idea
There is evidence that supports the theory of evolution.

Direct Observations

• Fossils: Remnants or traces of organisms from past geologic ages embedded in the earth’s crust.

  • The deeper you dig, the simpler the fossils and the fewer are found.

• Artifact: Indicates past life but is not a fossil.

Biogeography: The study of where species live and why

• Nearby locations have closely related species.

• Islands have special species not found elsewhere.

• These species are often similar to those on nearby mainland.

• This shows how species can change based on where they live.

Homologous Structures: Structural and functional similarities that indicate evolutionary relationships among species.

Embryological Structures: Sshow that some genes are preserved across different species, indicating a shared evolutionary history.

• Molecular Evidence: Analysis of DNA and protein sequences reveals similarities among species, providing insight into their evolutionary relationships.

• Fossil Records: The timeline of fossils in geological layers illustrates the progression of evolutionary change and provides evidence of common ancestry among different life forms.

Molecular Homologies: Shared genes and proteins that come from a common ancestor in different organisms.

Conclusion: Similar structures mean similar DNA, which implies similar ancestry.