9A Evidence of Evolution Review

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Punctuated Equilibrium

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Defined as sudden changes in species followed by long periods of stasis (no change).

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Anatomical Structures

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Features in organisms that share a common ancestor but have different functions, indicating evolutionary relationships.

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Gradualism

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The theory that evolution occurs slowly and gradually over long periods of time.

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Fossil Distribution

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Similar fossils found across different continents provide evidence that land masses were once connected.

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Common Ancestry Evidence

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Similarities in anatomical structures among organisms suggest they share a common ancestor.

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Vestigial Structures

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Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, such as the human appendix.

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Analogous Structures

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Body parts in different species that have similar functions but evolved independently, indicating convergent evolution.

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Embryology

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The study of embryos that shows similarities in early development stages among different species, supporting common ancestry.

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Natural Selection

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

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Mutation

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A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in an organism, contributing to evolution.