Evidence of Evolution

Structures in different species that share a common ancestry, even though they may have different functions.

The study of embryos of various organisms to show similarities in development, indicating a common ancestor.

Structures in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, such as the hind leg bones in whales.

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

The process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

They indicate that different species have evolved from a common ancestor.

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