Evidence of Evolution

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What is DNA?

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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life and is used by scientists to find common proteins and amino acids to determine how closely related species are.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts that are similar in structure but may have different functions across different species, suggesting that these organisms share a common ancestry.

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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. Scientists compare organisms' DNA to support the theory that all species share a common ancestor.

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost their original function through evolution. They provide evidence of an organism's evolutionary past.

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What is adaptive radiation?

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Adaptive radiation is the process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

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What is the significance of fossils in evolution?

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Fossils provide 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.

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What is variation in a species?

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Variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals of the same species, which can lead to adaptations over time.

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What is the role of environmental factors in evolution?

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Environmental factors can influence which traits are favorable for survival, leading to changes in species over generations.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution, not common ancestry.