Evidence for Evolution

Fossils, similar body shape, and similar DNA are all evidence that evolution has taken place on our planet. What of the following would be another piece of evidence?

• Similarities in hair color

• Similar interests

• Similarities in embryonic development

• Similar hunting patterns

What do we call structures that once had a function in a species' ancestor but has no function in the current species.

• Homologous Structure

• Analogous Structure

• Vestigial Structure

• Developmental Structure

Similarities in the developmental structures of different species suggest that:

• The species did not evolve from a common ancestor

• The species did evolve from a common ancestor

• All species start off as the same species

• All adult species have the same structures

Fossils were excavated from layer one (Fossil one) and layer two (Fossil two). Which of the follow could be true?

• Fossil two could be a descendant of fossil one

• Fossil two is definitely the same species as fossil one

• Fossil one and two are definitely not related to one another

• Fossil one could be a descendant of fossil two

Scientists can determine the relatedness of different species by examining their DNA sequences. Scientists compared the DNA sequences of the organisms below.

DNA Sequences

Organism A: AAA ATT CGT

Organism B: AAT ATT CGT

Organism C: AAA ATT CCA

Organism D: ACC TCC TGA

Which of the following organisms is most clsely related to organism A?

• Organism B

• Organism C

• Organism D

• All of the above

In the photo above, we see the evolution of whales over time. The legs of Ambulocetus natens were the longest, Rodhocetus balochistanensis are shorter, and Basilosaurus isus have a pelvic bone but no legs.

Which statement provides the best evidence that Ambulocetus natens is a common ancestor of Basilosaurus isus?

• Vestigial structures are present in the most recent species

• Similar nitrogenosu bases are found in each fossil

• The fossils are found in different locations.

• The youngest fossil is larger than the older fossil

The similarities of the bones in the diagram provide evidence that---

• The organisms shown lived in the same natural environment

• The organisms shown may have developed from a common ancestor

• The organisms shown have the same genetic diseases

• All vertebrate species have identical forelimbs

Body parts similar are derived from a common ancestor but have different functions are called:

• Vestigial Structures

• Analogous Structures

• Homologous Structures

• Common Structures

_________________ show clear changes in an organism over time, the environment organisms lived in, the time period the organism lived in, and where the organism lived.

• DNA

• Fossils

• Vestigial Structures

• Homologous Structures

A scientist is studying the DNA of three species. Species A and species B have DNA that is 97% similar. Species C and species A have DNA that is 95% similar. What can the scientist conclude?

• Species B is equally related to both species A and species C

• Species B has a closer evolutionary relationship with species C than it does with species A

• Species A has a closer evolutionary relationship with species B than it does with species C.

• Species A has a closer evolutionary relationship with species C than it does with species B.