Evidence of Evolution

Front

What are homologous structures?

Back

Structures in different species that share a common ancestry, even though they may have different functions.

Front

What is embryology?

Back

The study of embryos of various organisms to show similarities in development, indicating a common ancestor.

Front

What are analogous structures?

Back

Structures in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

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What are vestigial structures?

Back

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, such as the hind leg bones in whales.

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What is natural selection?

Back

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is adaptive radiation?

Back

The process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

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What is the significance of fossils in evolution?

Back

Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.

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What is speciation?

Back

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Front

How do homologous structures provide evidence for evolution?

Back

They indicate that different species have evolved from a common ancestor.

Front

What is the role of embryonic development in understanding evolution?

Back

Similarities in embryonic development among different species suggest a shared ancestry.