Questions and Answers
Which six things support evolution?
What is a fossil?
The remains or traces of an organism that died long ago.
What is a transitional fossil and why are they important?
Any fossilized remains of a life form that exhibits traits common to both an ancestral group and its derived descendant group. They support Darwin's idea that organisms do change over time.
How did the study of fossils help support Darwin's ideas about evolution?
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What is the principle of superposition?
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What does bio-geography study?
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What is comparative anatomy?
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What do similarities in bone structure indicate to a scientist?
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What are homologous structures?
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What are analogous structures?
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What are vestigial structures?
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What does the presence of vestigial pelvic and leg bones in modern whales suggest?
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What does comparative embryology reveal?
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What does early embryonic gill slits in vertebrates suggest?
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Why is embryology useful to taxonomists?
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Which of these is not evidence that two organisms should be classified in the same group?
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What does molecular biology provide evidence for?
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What are the 4 bases found in the nucleotides of DNA?
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Every ______ nucleotides correspond to a specific ______.
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About what % of nucleotides are the same between the banana and human?
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About what % of nucleotides are the same between the chimp and human?
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Which evidence provides strong support for evolution?
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How does genetic science contribute to the study of evolution?
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What is observed evolutionary change?
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What is the name of the process when a new species is formed?
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How does drug resistance develop in bacteria?
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Study Notes
Evidence of Evolution
- Evolution is supported by fossil records, bio-geography, comparative anatomy, comparative embryology, molecular biology, and observed evolutionary change.
Fossil Record
- Fossil record documents species change over time, confirming Darwin's descent with modification concept.
- Older fossil organisms are found in lower geological layers, while more modern ones are in upper layers.
Fossils Defined
- Fossils are the remains or traces of long-extinct organisms.
Transitional Fossils
- Transitional fossils show traits of both ancestral and derived descendant groups, validating the evolution of species over time.
Principle of Superposition
- The principle states that in undisturbed rock strata, the lowest layer is older than the layers above it.
Bio-geography
- Bio-geography studies how organisms are distributed globally, revealing evolutionary patterns.
Comparative Anatomy
- Comparative anatomy analyzes bone structures of various organisms to identify evolutionary similarities, indicating common ancestry.
Homologous Structures
- Homologous structures are anatomical features shared by different species from a common ancestor.
Analogous Structures
- Analogous structures serve similar functions in different species but do not share a common ancestor.
Vestigial Structures
- Vestigial structures are remnants that no longer serve a function but resemble functional structures in related species (e.g., pelvic bones in modern whales).
Comparative Embryology
- Embryology shows that different species can have similar developmental stages, hinting at common ancestry.
Gill Slits in Embryos
- Early vertebrate embryos, including humans, possess gill slits which develop into ears and throat structures, suggesting a common ancestor among vertebrates.
Importance of Embryology in Taxonomy
- Embryological comparisons help taxonomists uncover evolutionary relationships among species.
Molecular Biology
- Molecular biology offers substantial evidence linking organisms through DNA sequence analysis; closely related species exhibit similar DNA.
DNA Nucleotide Bases
- The four nucleotides in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
Genetic Coding
- Every three nucleotides correspond to a specific amino acid in protein synthesis.
Genetic Similarity
- Bananas and humans share approximately 50% of their nucleotide sequences, while chimpanzees and humans are about 98% similar.
Strong Evidence for Evolution
- The fossil record is a significant piece of evidence for evolutionary theory.
Role of Genetics in Evolution
- Modern genetics allows for comparisons of DNA between fossils and living species to establish evolutionary relationships and mechanisms.
Observed Evolutionary Change
- This occurs through witnessed speciation events, such as the rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to reproduction and mutation.
Speciation
- Speciation is the process through which a new species is formed.
Drug Resistance in Bacteria
- Drug-resistant bacteria survive antibiotic treatment, leading to their dominance in the population as they reproduce.
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Description
This quiz focuses on key concepts related to the evidence supporting evolution. You will explore various aspects such as the fossil record, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology, which are vital in understanding evolutionary theory. Test your knowledge and see how these elements contribute to the broader understanding of evolution.
