Evidence of Evolution

Front

What evidence do fossils provide regarding the history of life on Earth?

Back

Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past.

Front

What does the presence of pouches in both opossums and kangaroos suggest about their evolutionary history?

Back

It suggests that they are descended from a common ancestor.

Front

Define evolution in the context of biology.

Back

A change in the inherited characteristics of an organism over time.

Front

What are analogous structures?

Back

Structures that are similar in appearance but not in structure.

Front

Give an example of a vestigial structure in humans.

Back

The tailbone of a human.

Front

What is the significance of homologous structures in evolutionary biology?

Back

They indicate a common ancestry between different species.

Front

How do transitional fossils contribute to our understanding of evolution?

Back

They provide evidence of the gradual changes that occur in species over time.

Front

What role does natural selection play in evolution?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

Back

Microevolution refers to small-scale changes within a species, while macroevolution refers to large-scale changes that can lead to the emergence of new species.

Front

What is a common misconception about evolution?

Back

A common misconception is that evolution is a linear process leading to 'better' organisms; in reality, it is a branching process with no predetermined direction.