Convergent vs. Divergent Evolution

An organisms with the “best” traits (adaptations) will live longer and

reproduce more than others, causing changes in the population over time by acting on traits that are heritable

• Evolution

• Natural Selection

• Fitness

• Variation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Genes that are beneficial to the species will....

• evolve a new species

• will not be passed down to its' offspring

• become more common over time

• cause the extinction of a species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

When unrelated species evolve similar characteristics because they live in similar

environments

• Divergent Evolution

• Speciation

• Convergent Evolution

• Punctuated equilibrium

A number of different species arise from one common ancestor

- New environments caused differences to evolve in populations

• Convergent Evolution

• Divergent Evolution

• Coevolution

• Gradualism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In the ocean surrounding Antarctica, there are fish that survive the cold water by using a molecule made of glycoproteins that circulates the blood and keeps it from freezing. Certain kinds of worms that live in the Arctic ocean also make antifreeze proteins that help them live in icy water.

• Convergent Evolution

• Divergent Evolution

• Coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The beaver in North America and the capybara in South America share a common ancestor, but have evolved over time to look different

• Convergent Evolution

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The Galápagos tortoises share a common ancestor, but have necks of different lengths to best reach the food they need in their environment.

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Whales, sharks, and penguins all have streamlined bodies and fins/flippers for moving in water even though they belong in different classes of animals (mammals, fish, and birds)

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The Galápagos finches evolved through natural selection from a common ancestor into a wide variety of different looking species.

• Convergent Evolution

• Divergent Evolution

• Coevolution

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

This kind of evolution is proven by DNA analysis and results in organisms with different ancestors becoming more alike as they adapt to similar environments.

• Convergent Evolution

• Divergent Evolution

• Coevolution