Evidence of Evolution

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What is evidence of evolution?

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Evidence of evolution includes various scientific findings that support the idea that species change over time. This includes fossil records, homologous structures, vestigial structures, and DNA comparisons.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts in different species that have similar structures but different functions, indicating a common ancestry.

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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, such as the human appendix.

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What role does the fossil record play in evolution?

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The fossil record provides evidence of how species have changed over time and shows the existence of species that are now extinct.

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How do scientists use DNA to study evolution?

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Scientists compare the DNA of different species to determine how closely related they are, supporting the theory of common ancestry.

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What is adaptive radiation?

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

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What does the term 'common ancestor' mean?

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A common ancestor refers to a species from which two or more different species have evolved.

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What is the significance of fossil evidence in understanding evolution?

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Fossil evidence helps scientists understand the history of life on Earth and how different species are related through evolutionary processes.

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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.

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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.