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Questions and Answers
What are vestigial structures?
What are vestigial structures?
- Structures that have no purpose in modern organisms.
- Structures that serve important functions in current species.
- Unused structures that are remnants from ancestors. (correct)
- Structures that have evolved independently despite similar functions.
Which of the following best defines homologous structures?
Which of the following best defines homologous structures?
- Similar adaptations in unrelated species due to environmental pressures.
- Structures with similar functions but different origins.
- Anatomical features that share a common origin but have different purposes. (correct)
- Unevolved features that serve no function.
What happens to the notochord in vertebrates as they mature?
What happens to the notochord in vertebrates as they mature?
- It develops into the vertebral column. (correct)
- It transforms into the rib cage.
- It serves as the primary brain structure.
- It completely disappears and has no role in adult vertebrates.
Which of these statements about biogeography is false?
Which of these statements about biogeography is false?
What is one characteristic that all chordate embryos share?
What is one characteristic that all chordate embryos share?
Flashcards
Vestigial Structures
Vestigial Structures
Unused structures that are remnants from ancestors (e.g., ostrich wings).
Homologous Structures
Homologous Structures
Structures with a common origin but different functions (e.g., human arms and bat forearms).
Notochord
Notochord
A flexible support rod found in all embryonic chordates, a defining trait of the phylum.
Biogeography
Biogeography
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Analogous Structures
Analogous Structures
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Study Notes
Evidence of Evolution
- Fossils: Preserved remains or traces of organisms from past geological ages.
- Anatomy: Comparison of physical structures in organisms.
- Analogous Structures: Structures with similar function but different origins (e.g., bird and insect wings).
- Homologous Structures: Structures with shared origins but different functions (e.g., forelimbs of bats and humans).
- Embryology: Study of embryos to reveal similarities and developmental patterns.
- Notochord: A flexible rod present in all chordate embryos, developing into the backbone in vertebrates.
- Pharyngeal Arches: Six arches in chordate embryos, forming face, ears, jaws (and gills in fish), evolving into different structures in humans.
- Biogeography: Study of geographic distribution of species.
- Camels: Evolved from a common ancestor in North America, migrating and adapting to different environments.
- Finches: Diverse Galapagos finches evolved from a common ancestor, adapting to specific food sources.
- Molecular Biology: Analysis of genetic similarities among organisms to reveal evolutionary relationships.
- Direct Observation: Observed evolutionary changes in organisms over relatively short periods.
Vestigial Structures
- Vestigial Structures: Rudimentary structures with reduced or no function, remnants of structures useful in ancestors (e.g., wings on ostriches).
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