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Questions and Answers
What term describes structures that serve a similar function but do not share a common evolutionary origin?
What term describes structures that serve a similar function but do not share a common evolutionary origin?
Vestigial structures always serve a useful function in modern organisms.
Vestigial structures always serve a useful function in modern organisms.
False
What is comparative embryology?
What is comparative embryology?
It is the examination of similarities and differences in embryo development before birth.
The human ____ is an example of a vestigial structure.
The human ____ is an example of a vestigial structure.
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Match the terms with their definitions:
Match the terms with their definitions:
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Which two species have more than 98% similarity in their DNA?
Which two species have more than 98% similarity in their DNA?
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Biochemical comparisons provide the weakest evidence supporting evolutionary theory.
Biochemical comparisons provide the weakest evidence supporting evolutionary theory.
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What type of behavior in animals may indicate they share a common ancestor?
What type of behavior in animals may indicate they share a common ancestor?
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Organisms which share much of their ______ must be closely related.
Organisms which share much of their ______ must be closely related.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which comparison is considered the best evidence for understanding evolutionary relationships?
Which comparison is considered the best evidence for understanding evolutionary relationships?
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Comparative embryology refers to examining the behavior of organisms in their natural environment.
Comparative embryology refers to examining the behavior of organisms in their natural environment.
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If a rock sample contains equal amounts of Potassium-40 and Argon-40, how old is the rock sample?
If a rock sample contains equal amounts of Potassium-40 and Argon-40, how old is the rock sample?
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Homologous structures indicate that species are not related.
Homologous structures indicate that species are not related.
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What type of evolution do homologous structures represent?
What type of evolution do homologous structures represent?
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Analogous structures indicate that species occupy _______ environments and share similar functions.
Analogous structures indicate that species occupy _______ environments and share similar functions.
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Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?
Which of the following is an example of a vestigial structure?
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Biochemical comparisons can provide insight into the evolutionary relationships between species.
Biochemical comparisons can provide insight into the evolutionary relationships between species.
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_______ provides evidence of how species are distributed across the globe.
_______ provides evidence of how species are distributed across the globe.
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Which process describes how two or more species evolve similar traits independently?
Which process describes how two or more species evolve similar traits independently?
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Study Notes
Evidence for Evolution
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Fossil Record: Fossils are remains or evidence of past life preserved in rock. Relative dating determines age based on fossil position in rock layers (older fossils are deeper). Absolute dating uses radioactive decay, with the half-life of known radioactive compounds remaining constant. Example: Potassium-40 decays to Argon-40 over 1.3 billion years.
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Relative Dating: Age is deduced by fossil position in rock layers. Fossils found deeper are older. Fossils closer to the surface are younger.
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Absolute Dating: Radioactive Dating is a technique that uses the known rate of decay of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of rocks or fossils. The half-life of radioactive isotopes remain constant. Example: Potassium-40 decays to Argon-40 over 1.3 billion years.
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Isotopes: Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes decay and change over time.
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Fossil Example: Horse Evolution shows a gradual change in fossil remains, illustrating evolution.
Comparison of Anatomy
- Homologous Structures: Similar internal structures in different species indicating shared ancestry (divergent evolution - similar origins).
- Analogous Structures: Similar external structures in different species with different origins, adapted to similar environments (convergent evolution).
- Vestigial Structures: Structures that no longer serve a function but may have served a function in ancestors. Example: Human appendix, tailbone in humans.
- Examples: Comparing the bone structure of a human arm, whale flipper, and bat wing reveals homologous structures
Comparative Embryology
- Embryo: An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development. Comparing embryos reveals similarities in development, which indicates a shared evolutionary origin. Early embryo development of different vertebrate species shows strong similarities.
Behavioral Comparisons
- Tool use and Parenting: Behaviors like use of tools and parenting contribute to evidence of shared ancestry
Biochemical Comparisons
- Best evidence: Biochemical comparisons (DNA) provide the strongest evidence for evolutionary relationships, showing a greater percentage of similarities indicating closer evolutionary relationships.
- DNA Sequences: Comparing DNA sequences reveal a strong evolutionary link between organisms.
Biogeographical Comparisons
- Geographic Distribution of Species: Species with similar traits in similar geological regions likely share a common ancestor (endemic species).
- Marsupials in Australia: Marsupials are primarily found in Australia. This suggests a common origin and isolation in that region.
- Endemic Species: Species unique to a particular geographic area.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the evidence supporting evolution, including fossil records, relative and absolute dating techniques. Discover how isotopes and fossil examples contribute to our understanding of evolutionary history.
