Biological Evidence of Evolution

Front

Evolution Noun

---

[ev-uh-loo-shun]

Back

Evolution

---

The process by which living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during Earth's history.

---

Example: Different beak shapes of Darwin's finches show how species adapt to their environment over time.

Front

Species Noun

---

[spee-sheez]

Back

Species

---

A group of similar living organisms capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

---

Example: This image shows two crow species and their hybrids, illustrating how species can interbreed.

Front

Ancestor Noun

---

[an-ses-ter]

Back

Ancestor

---

An early type of organism from which other, usually more complex, organisms have evolved or descended.

---

Example: A phylogenetic tree shows how species evolved from common ancestors.

Front

Fossil Noun

---

[fos-uhl]

Back

Fossil

---

The preserved remains, impression, or trace of a once-living organism from a past geological age.

---

Example: This image shows a fossil, the preserved remains of an ancient organism, illustrating biological evidence of evolution.

Front

Comparative anatomy Noun

---

[kuhm-par-uh-tiv uh-nat-uh-mee]

Back

Comparative anatomy

---

The study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species to understand evolutionary relationships.

---

Example: The image shows how the forelimbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats have similar bone structures, illustrating evolutionary relationships.

Front

Homologous structures Noun

---

[huh-mah-luh-gus struk-cherz]

Back

Homologous structures

---

Body parts in different species that are structurally similar due to inheritance from a common ancestor.

---

Example: The image shows how human, cheetah, whale, and bat limbs have similar bone structures, indicating a common ancestor.

Front

Analogous structures Noun

---

[uh-nal-uh-gus struk-cherz]

Back

Analogous structures

---

Body parts in different species that have a similar function but different structures and evolutionary origins.

---

Example: The image shows how a shark's fin, a penguin's wing, and a dolphin's flipper are analogous structures, serving similar functions but differing in structure and origin.

Front

Vestigial structures Noun

---

[veh-stij-ee-ul struk-cherz]

Back

Vestigial structures

---

A structure in an organism that has lost all or most of its original function through evolution.

---

Example: The image shows the appendix, a vestigial structure, with labels for the intestines.

Front

Embryology Noun

---

[em-bree-ol-uh-jee]

Back

Embryology

---

The branch of biology concerned with the study of embryos and their development from fertilization to birth.

---

Example: The image shows the development of a chicken embryo inside an egg, with labeled parts.

Front

Embryo Noun

---

[em-bree-oh]

Back

Embryo

---

An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development, from fertilization to the fetal stage.

---

Example: The image shows an embryo developing inside an egg, illustrating the parts and fluids that support its growth.