Evidence of Evolution

Structures with the same parts have different functions; suggests that organisms share a common ancestry

• vestigial structures
• homologous structures
• adaptive radiation
• fossil

Study of embryos of various organisms to show a common ancestor because of similarities in development

• natural selection
• embryology
• speciation
• evolution

Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have different functions, but similar structures.  These are known as

• vestigial structures
• analogous structures
• homologous structures
• fossil structures

How do fossils provide evidence that evolution has happened on Earth?

• Fossils show how the sizes of certain animals has changed drastically over millions of years
• Fossils show that some species have gone extinct
• Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past
• Different sedimentary rock layers provide evidence for how the environment has changed over time

The diagram illustrates an embryonic stage of two organisms.

Which of the following can be determined by observing the embryos shown in the diagram

• The organisms share a common ancestry.
• The organisms belong to the same genus.
• The organisms are native to the same geographic areas.
• The organisms will grow into anatomically similar adults.

Humans, birds, whales, and lizards all have similar arm bones. What is the reason for this?

• The function of these bones is the same in all animals
• They live in similar environments
• They have a common ancestor
• All organisms resemble humans

Vestigial structures

• structures that perform a similar function but are not similar in origin

• remnants of once-important structures that have slowly lost all or most of their function

• features found in different organisms that share structural similarities but may have very different functions

• preserved remains of an organism

Which layer is the youngest

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

The changes of species over time

• Embryonic 
• Natural selection 
• Mimicry 
• Evolution 

The picture shows a/an ___________

• homologous structure

• vestigial structure