Evidence for Evolution

• What types of evidence contribute to our understanding of evolution?

  Molecular, morphological, and genetic evidence
• What is phylogeny?

  The evolutionary history of a species
• What are homologous features?

  Structures similar due to common ancestry
• How do homologous features provide evidence for evolution?

  They indicate common ancestry through structure
• What is the ultimate homology in organisms?

  Shared DNA Structure

  Shared RNA Structure

  Shared Protein Structure
• What evidence indicates common ancestry among eukaryotic organisms?

  Membrane-bound organelles, linear chromosomes, introns
• What are analogous features?

  Similarity due to convergent evolution
• What do vestigial organs indicate?

  Historical remnants of important structures
• What does the presence of a vestigial pelvis in snakes suggest?

  They evolved from a lizard ancestor
• What does the fossil record provide evidence for?

  The order of vertebrate evolution
• How can fossils be dated?

  Using rock age, decay rates, geographical data
• What is comparative embryology?

  The study of embryonic development similarities
• What does comparative biochemistry involve?

  Comparing DNA, RNA, and protein sequences
• Why are metabolic pathways significant in comparative biochemistry?

  They indicate shared ancestry among organisms
• What is artificial selection?

  Evolution through selective breeding
• How does artificial selection differ from natural evolution?

  It is man-made and faster than natural evolution
• What does biogeography study?

  The geographic distribution of organisms
• How does biogeography relate to evolution?

  It explains organism distribution through evolutionary patterns
• What does the breakup of Pangaea illustrate in biogeography?

  Distribution patterns of organisms worldwide
• Why are marsupials unique to Australia?

  They evolved without competition from placentals