Evidence of Evolution

Homology refers to the similarity in structure or function between different species that arises from a common ancestor.

Analogy refers to similarities in function or appearance between species that do not share a common ancestor, often due to convergent evolution.

Similar bone structures suggest that the organisms may have developed from a common ancestor.

It indicates that the two organisms are closely related and likely share a recent common ancestor.

Baleen whales are most closely related to toothed whales.

The fossil record shows that deeper layers are generally older than those above them.

Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in early ancestors but are no longer useful, indicating evolutionary change.

Similarities in embryonic development among different species suggest a common ancestry.

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

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.