Evidence for Evolution

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What is evidence for evolution?

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Evidence for evolution includes fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and embryology that support the idea that species change over time and share common ancestors.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, even if they have different functions, such as the human arm and whale fin.

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What are analogous structures?

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Analogous structures are features in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry, such as the wings of birds and insects.

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What is the significance of DNA comparison in evolution?

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Comparing DNA sequences helps determine the genetic similarities and differences between organisms, indicating how closely related they are; more differences suggest more distant relationships.

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in an early ancestor but are reduced or nonfunctional in the current organism, like the human appendix.

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What does embryonic development reveal about evolution?

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Similarities in embryonic development among different species suggest a common ancestry, as seen in the early stages of vertebrate embryos.

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What is the role of fossil records in supporting evolution?

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Fossil records provide chronological evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time, supporting the theory of evolution.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, leading to evolutionary changes.

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What is a common ancestor?

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A common ancestor is a species from which two or more different species have evolved, indicating a shared evolutionary history.

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How do mutations contribute to evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new traits in a population; if beneficial, these traits may be passed on, contributing to evolution.