Evidence of Evolution

Front

What do fossils indicate about the evolution of life forms?

Back

Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past.

Front

What are homologous structures?

Back

Structures with the same parts that have different functions, suggesting that organisms share a common ancestry.

Front

What can be inferred about two closely related organisms?

Back

They would have very similar DNA sequences.

Front

What does the presence of homologous structures in modern organisms suggest?

Back

The organisms have a common ancestor.

Front

What can embryonic similarities between two organisms indicate?

Back

The organisms share a common ancestry.

Front

What is adaptive radiation?

Back

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

Front

What are vestigial structures?

Back

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution.

Front

How do sedimentary rock layers provide evidence for evolution?

Back

Different layers show how the environment has changed over time and the types of organisms that existed at different periods.

Front

What is the significance of DNA sequencing in evolutionary biology?

Back

It allows scientists to determine the genetic similarities and differences between species, indicating their evolutionary relationships.

Front

What is the role of embryology in understanding evolution?

Back

Embryology studies the development of embryos, revealing similarities that suggest common ancestry among different species.