Evidence for Evolution

Evidence for Evolution

1. Anatomy

   • Overview - comparative anatomy is the study of the similarities and differences in structures of different organisms -Over time structures might adapt based on environment
   • Example 2 - Another example is how pitcher plants, venus fly traps, cacti, and poinsettias all came from a common ancestor. Each of them modified their leaves to help them, for example, the pitcher plant modified its leaves into a pitcher to catch insects and cacti modified their leaves into spines to protect from predators.
     • Image 2 - this image shows each of the plants came from one common ancestor and modified themselves into what they are today
   • Example 1 - Humans, birds, whales, and dogs all have the same 4 bones in their limbs but each of their limbs are used for different purposes. For example, birds use their wings to fly while dogs use their legs to run. Even though they are used for different reasons, they all come from a common ancestor
     • Image 1 - This image shows how each organism has the same bones in their limbs but they shortened or lengthened based on the environment that organism needed to evolve to live in

2. Biogeography

   • Overview - biogeography is the study of how species are distributed across earth Shows how organisms evolved to form new species over time in different environments and parts of the world
   • Ex 1 Marsupials are found in America, Australia, and Antarctica, showing that they had a common ancestor in pangaea but then moved to different areas and evolved differently
     • Image 1 - this image shows how when land masses were connected, marsupials spread across the land and then when continents started to drift, they evolved into different species
   • Ex 2 Galapagos tortoises are different on each island in appearance because they were separated Show how when species are separated and isolated, they can start slowly changing to fit their environment
     • Image 2 - This image shows how on each island of the galapagos, the tortoises appear different even though they are all closely related, they look different. This is because due to the conditions on each of their islands, they evolved to survive. This also supports the idea of a common ancestor because they all came from the same ancestor but evolved differently based on their environments

3. Embriology

   • Ex 1 Shared embryonic structures show such as gills in fish, humans, and birds all develop into different organs but shows that they all come from a common ancestor
     • Image 1 - Image shows that both the chicken embryo and human embryo share gill slits and also look similar even though they develop into completely different looking organisms. This shows that they came from a common ancestor.
   • Overview - Studies how organisms develop into adults Embryos of different species look similar in early development Similar looking early embryos show that some species share a common ancestor
   • Ex 2 - all vertebrate embryos have a similar body plan for development due to similar genes from their common ancestor.
     • Image 2 - This image shows four different embryos that all have similar structures and appearance, they all have tails and gills. This shows how they have a common body plan from their common ancestor

4. Biochemistry

   • Overview - All organisms use the same biochemical molecules which shows how there is a common ancestor Many organisms have very similar DNA All organisms use DNA or RNA as their genetic code
   • Ex 1 - Most organisms have molecules for cell functions such as cytochrome c or hemoglobin or myoglobin and it would not be possible for these organisms to have the same molecules if they did not come from a comment ancestor
     • Image 1 - This image shows a sequence of the protein cytochrome c The difference sequences show genetic mutations in species Species that are closer related have less differences in their sequences Shows evidence for a common ancestor
   • Ex 2 - Humans and chimpanzees have identical lysosomes, or tear enzymes, which supports the idea of a common ancestor because otherwise the lysosomes would not be so close
     • Image 2 - While this image does not show the comparison of lysosomes, it shows hwo closely related chimpanzees and humans are with their DNA. This shows evidence of a common ancestor

5. Fossils

   • -Fossils are mineralized remains of an organism - Fossil records shows change of organisms over time Shows that organisms on earth have changed over time
   • Ex 1 - Early whale fossils show evolution compared to new whale fossils by showing a transition from a land animal to an ocean animal - The fossil shows whales evolved from land animals showing that they share a common ancestor with various other species
   • Image 1 - This image shows the whale evolving to become more adapt to water environments over time by the limbs becoming flippers meant for swimming
   • Ex 2 - The eohippus was an early horse found in fossils which later evolved into the modern horse which shows how horses have evolved over time
     • This image shows the eohippus from a small animal with multiple toes into a larger modern horse with one hoof (Cothran, n.d.)

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