5.1 Evidence for Evolution

5.1 Evidence for Evolution

1. Nature of Science

   • Looking for patterns, trends and discrepancies
     • Comparison of the pentadactyl limb
       • Adaptive radiation
         • Homologous structures
           • Mammals
           • Birds
           • Amphibians
           • Reptiles

2. Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of a species change

   • Development of melanistic insects in polluted area

3. Evidence for evolution

   • Fossil record
   • Selective breeding
   • TOK
     • Scientific method of establishing beyong reasonable doubt
       • How do scientific methods compare to those used by historians to reconstruct the past?

4. Speciation

   • Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution
     • Continuous variation vs concept of gradual divergence