5.9D Fossil Evidence

What are fossils?

• The traces or remains of dead organisms that lived long ago

• Rocks that people found interesting

• Recently deceased organisms

This type of rock, made from compacting sediments, contains the most fossils.

• Metamorphic

• Igneous

• Sedimentary

If a fossil was found below Z, what would its age be in comparison to a fossil found above X?

• Younger

• Older

• Same age

How do fossils provide evidence for evolution? (PICK TWO)

• Fossils show that organisms do not change over time.

• Fossils only show how organisms have evolved recently and not how they have changed in the distant past.

• Overall, fossils show that the organisms of the past are different than the organisms of today.

• Transitional fossils provide evidence that links an ancestor species to its descendants by showing gradual change.

What are homologous structures?

• Structures in different species having the same function but the species have very different ancestors and evolutionary histories.

• Structures in different species with a common ancestor.  These structures do not always perform the same function.

What are analogous structures?

• Structures in different species having the same function but the species have very different ancestors and evolutionary histories.

• Structures in different species with a common ancestor.  These structures do not always perform the same function.

How do vestigial structures support evolution?

• Vestigial structures can sometimes be detrimental and hinder an organism's ability to survive.

• As the function of a trait is no longer beneficial for survival, the likelihood that future offspring will inherit the "normal" form of it decreases. 

• Vestigial structures show how ineffecient organims can be.

How does embryology support evolution?

• Embryos of all organisms are same and show how all life developes in the same way.

• The embryos are unborn or unhatched young in its earliest phases.

• Embryos of many different species show similarities which implies a common origin.