Evidence of Evolution

Front

What is the evidence that humans, birds, whales, and lizards have a common ancestor?

Back

The similarity in their arm bones suggests they share a common ancestor.

Front

How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

Back

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

Front

What does the youngest layer of sedimentary rock indicate?

Back

It indicates the most recent geological events and the youngest fossils.

Front

What can be determined by observing embryos of different organisms?

Back

The organisms share a common ancestry.

Front

What is a homologous structure?

Back

A homologous structure is an anatomical feature that is similar in different species due to shared ancestry.

Front

What is a vestigial structure?

Back

A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through evolution.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of genetic variation in evolution?

Back

Genetic variation is crucial for a population's ability to adapt to changing environments.

Front

What role do mutations play in evolution?

Back

Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can lead to new traits in a population.

Front

What is the difference between convergent and divergent evolution?

Back

Convergent evolution occurs when unrelated species develop similar traits, while divergent evolution occurs when related species become more different.