Evidence of Evolution

Front

What is a structure that is similar across species?

Back

Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, indicating evolutionary relationships.

Front

What inference might paleontologists make if modern organisms have a lot of homologous structures?

Back

Paleontologists might infer that the organisms have a common ancestor.

Front

What do scientists compare to support the theory that all species share a common ancestor?

Back

Scientists compare organisms' DNA.

Front

What term describes the changes of species over time?

Back

Evolution is the process through which species change over time through various mechanisms.

Front

How do fossils provide evidence that evolution has happened on Earth?

Back

Fossils show how life forms present today are different than those from the past, indicating evolutionary changes.

Front

What are vestigial structures?

Back

Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in an early ancestor but are no longer functional in the current organism.

Front

What is natural selection?

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 significance of embryonic development in evolution?

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

Front

What is adaptation in the context of evolution?

Back

Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment through evolutionary changes.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Back

Homologous structures arise from a common ancestor, while analogous structures serve similar functions but do not share a common evolutionary origin.