Evidence for the Theory of Evolution

The Fossil Record
1. Showed that
  1. Species existed in the past which were different from those existing today
  2. Old species have died out
  3. New species have arisen
  4. The new species that have appeared are often similar to older ones found in the same place
2. Problems
  1. Incomplete fossil evidence
  2. Fossils form only under certain conditions, so most organisms decay without preservation before they die
  3. Soft bodied organisms rarely become fossilised
  4. Most fossils are never found
  5. Fossils can be destroyed through earthquakes or other environmental problems
Biological Molecules
1. Certain molecules can be found throughout the living world, suggesting that all organisms had a common ancestor
2. Organisms which share a more recent common ancestor are more likely to have similar or identical biological molecules
3. Organisms which diverged along separate evolutionary paths longer ago are more likely to differ more
4. Molecules, such as DNA, cytochrome c (respiration), DNA polymerase (replication) and RNA polymerase (proteins) are examples of universal molecules being studied

Resource summary

	Created by lottienilsen almost 11 years ago