Evidence for Evolution

Created by

Nikki Ahmann

Cards (28)

What are the main pieces of evidence for evolution?
Studies of natural selection, fossil record, biogeography, selective breeding, homologous features, and observations of change
How does the fossil record contribute to our understanding of evolution?
It shows the history of large changes over time in species
What does biogeography reveal about species evolution?
It shows that unique species occur when isolated from related populations
What is selective breeding?
It is a process similar to natural selection but driven by humans
What are homologous features?
Similar, shared underlying features that derive from a common ancestor
What are vestigial homologies?
Structures that serve no current function but resemble structures of ancestors
How do homologous features differ from analogous features?
Homologous features share a common ancestry, while analogous features arise from convergent evolution
What are the types of homologies among organisms?
Anatomical: Body structures and vestigial structures
Developmental: Similarities at early life stages
Molecular/Genetic: Similar genes and proteins
What is an example of a vestigial structure in humans?
The human tailbone
How did the Galapagos finches demonstrate observations of change?
They showed changes in beak size before, during, and after a drought
What does the study of bacteria and antibiotics illustrate about evolution?
It shows how bacteria can develop resistance over time
What is the significance of the ancient mammal Indohyus in the fossil record?
It shows transitional features between land mammals and whales
How does selective breeding differ from natural selection?
Selective breeding is driven by humans, while natural selection is influenced by the environment
What role does independent evolution play in biogeography?
It leads to unique species developing in isolated environments
What are the implications of convergent evolution?
Unrelated lineages develop similar traits
Result of similar environmental constraints
Analogous features arise from different lineage origins
What is the average beak size of the finches observed during the drought?
Average beak size was 9.2 mm
What does the term "analogous features" refer to?
Features that are similar in function but do not share a common ancestry
How do anatomical homologies provide evidence for evolution?
They show shared underlying structures that indicate a common ancestor
What is the significance of the fossil record in understanding evolutionary change?
It documents the history of species changes over millions of years
How do developmental homologies contribute to our understanding of evolution?
They reveal similarities in early life stages among different species
How can selective breeding lead to high diversification in species?
It allows for non-random survival and reproduction based on heritable traits
What does the presence of vestigial structures in organisms suggest about their evolutionary history?
It indicates that these organisms share a common ancestor with functional structures
What is the role of molecular homologies in evolutionary biology?
They show similarities in genes and proteins across different species
How do non-intuitive patterns in biogeography suggest deep influences on species evolution?
They reveal complex relationships between species and their environments
How does the study of fossil records help in understanding the timeline of evolution?
It provides evidence of species that existed at different times and their changes
What is the significance of the average beak sizes of finches before and after the drought?
It shows the changes in traits due to environmental pressures
What is the relationship between homologous and analogous features?
Homologous features arise from a common ancestor, while analogous features arise from convergent evolution
How do observations of change in species contribute to our understanding of evolution?
They provide real-time evidence of adaptation and survival in changing environments