Lesson 2 - Evidence of Evolution

Evidence of evolution

Explains that all species are related and gradually change over time due to natural selection.

Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution.

Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success.

This process causes species to change and diverge over time.

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​Theory of evolution

​ Evolution of the Horse

• Fossils

• DNA

• Comparative Anatomy

• Embryology

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What are the evidences of Evolution?

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When comparing living animals to extinct animals (fossils), what can we directly compare?

​ Comparing living animals to fossils

Comparative anatomy is the study of different species of animals in order to understand the adaptive changes they have undergone in the course of evolution from common ancestors.

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Comparative anatomy

​Notice the similar bone structure of each animal skeletal structure although they are adapted to a specific mode of life of the animal.

Multiple Choice

A study of the body structures of animals to know how they evolved from the likes of their common ancestors for the purpose of adapting to their environment.

• Evidence of Evolution

• Comparative Anatomy

• Fossils

• Embryonic Development

Multiple Choice

These structures are examples of __________ structures.

• Homologous

• Analogous

• Vestigial

Multiple Choice

These structures are examples of __________ structures.

• Homologous

• Analogous

• Vestigial

Review of Homologous and Analogous Structures

Drag and Drop

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Placeholder

structures: inherited from a common ancestor; they have similar structure but different function.



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structures: are not inherited from a common ancestor; they have similar function but different structure.



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structures: inherited from a common ancestor; remains of functional structures in other organisms that now lost their function

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Homologous

Analogous

Vestigial

​DNA

DNA is evidence of a common ancestor for all of life.

The relatedness of groups of organisms is reflected in the similarity of their DNA sequences.

Fill in the Blanks

Based on the DNA data, which organism is more closely related to humans?

Embryology, the study of the development of the anatomy of an organism to its adult form.

Provides evidence of a common ancestor due to the relatedness between now widely divergent groups of organisms.

The longer they are similar in development the more related.

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Embryology

Drag and Drop

Which organism is most closely related to the fish?​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Salamander

Tortoise

Pig

Cow

Chicken

Drag and Drop

Which organism is most closely related to the chicken?​ ​

Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Tortoise

Pig

Cow

Chicken

Human

Salamander

Natural Selection:
Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success. This process causes species to change and diverge over time.

An adaptation is a physical or behavioural characteristic that helps an organism to survive in its environment. 

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Natural Selection-Adaptations

 A cladogram is a diagram that shows relationships between species.

These relationships are based on observable physical characteristics.

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​Cladograms

Multiple Choice

Which organism is most closely related to the chimpanzee?

• Hamster

• Lizard

• Salamnder

• Salmon

Multiple Choice

Which organism is most distantly related to the chimpanzee?

• Hamster

• Lizard

• Salamnder

• Salmon

Multiple Choice

What letter represents the common ancestor of all organisms shown in the chart?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

Which letter represents the most recent common ancestor of the lizard, hamster and chimpanzee?

• A

• B

• C

• D

​When Whales Walked

​Watch the video to better understand the evidence to support the evolution of the whale.

This should help you answer the last questions on the study guide.

Multiple Choice

Which layer formed first?

• Rock Layer W
• Rock Layer X
• Rock Layer Y
• Rock Layer Z