Evolution 2: Evidence for Evolution

Front

How does the fossil record help scientists?

Back

All of the above: better understand the kinds of organisms that lived in the past, how the environment has changed over time, and how organisms have evolved over time.

Front

What is common ancestry?

Back

When organisms are descended from a single ancestor

Front

The earliest organisms were ___________; the more recent organisms are ____________.

Back

simple; more complex

Front

What is the value of a transitional fossil?

Back

Transitional forms show the evolutionary steps between species.

Front

50 million years ago, the Pakicetus had nostrils toward the front of its skull. Gray whales, modern-day descendants of the Pakicetus, have nostrils toward the back of the skull. The Aetiocetus lived 25 million years ago, and its nostril was in the middle of the skull. In this case, the Aetiocetus serves as a ______________.

Back

transitional fossil

Front

The forelimbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats are similar in structure due to having a common ancestor. Is this considered homology or analogy?

Back

Homology

Front

Which of the following are homologous structures?

whale flipper and bat wing

,

legs on a beetle and legs on a cat

Back

whale flipper and bat wing

Front

The cave fish and minnow are related to each other but the cave fish is blind and only has the remnants of an eye. What type of structure is this?

Back

vestigial

Front

What is an example of a vestigial structure in a human?

Back

appendix

Front

What is the study of the similarities and differences in unborn fetuses, or developing organisms?

Back

Comparative embryology