EVIDENCE OF
EVOLUTION
CHRISSIE MIA P. SUMAYLO
ACTIVITY !
TO CATCH YOUR
ATTENTION
LESSON
PROPER
EVIDENCE OF
EVOLUTION
Many genetic, anatomical, physiological, archaeological and
geographical discoveries have been made that support the theory of
evolution; these include:
Fossil record and transitional forms
Comparative anatomy (homologous,
analogous, vestigial structures)
Embryology
Molecular biology (DNA/protein
similarities)
Biogeography
Observed evolutionary changes
WHAT IS
EVOLUTION?
EVOLUTION
Evolution refers to the gradual
change in a population's genetic
composition over successive
generations. A theory is an
explanation based on
Genetic change in a population well-substantiated
evidence that has been
through time. tested repeatedly and is
what is accepted by the
Evolution is based in theory. scientific community.
CHARLES
DARWIN
Charles Robert Darwin was an
English naturalist, geologist,
and biologist, widely known for
his contributions to
evolutionary biology.
CHARLES
DARWIN
On his journey around the world
Darwin found evidence of gradual
change (evolution).
Darwin cited evidences he found
in fossil records, geographic
distribution and homologous
structures
EVIDENCE OF
EVOLUTION:
THE FOSSIL RECORD
Fossils are the preserved remains
of prehistoric organisms.
Paleontology is the study of
fossils.
EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION:
THE FOSSIL RECORD
Fossils are often contained in rocks
that build up in layers called strata.
The strata provide a sort of timeline,
with layers near the top being newer
and layers near the bottom being
older
Scientists can
roughly date fossils
using radiometric
dating, a process
that measures the
radioactive decay
of certain elements.
EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION:
THE FOSSIL RECORD
•Layers of sedimentary rock contain fossils.
•New layers cover older ones, creating a record
over time.
•When fossils are arrayed in the order of their age,
a progressive series of changes are seen.
•The younger fossils are more similar to existing
species than older ones.
FOSSILS MAY BE USED
TO DETERMINE
INFORMATION ABOUT
SPECIES:
Size
Weight
Age
Location
Migration
Cause of extinction
Diet
Common origins
EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION:
THE TRANSITIONAL FOSSIL
A transitional fossil is one that
represents characteristics between
groups of organisms. (the missing link)
It provides a link between past and
present species.
EXAMPLES
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
Similar body
Comparative parts may be
anatomy is the study homologues,
of the similarities analogous and
and differences in vestigial. Both
the structures of
provide evidence
different species.
for evolution.
HOMOLOGOUS
STRUCTURE
• body parts of
organisms that may
perform different
functions but are of
the same origin.
HOMOLOGOUS
STRUCTURE
HOMOLOGOUS
STRUCTURE
ANALOGOUS
STRUCTURE
- body parts of organisms that
may perform the same
function but are of the
different origins.
ANALOGOUS
STRUCTURE
ANALOGOUS
STRUCTURE
VESTIGIAL
STRUCTURE
body parts that are useless
or left over from a previous
ancestor in which they were
useful.
VESTIGIAL
STRUCTURE
VESTIGIAL
STRUCTURE
VESTIGIAL
STRUCTURE
COMPARATIVE
EMBRYOLOGY
COMPARATIVE
EMBRYOLOGY
-is the study of the
similarities and differences in the
embryos of different species.
Similarities in embryos are likely to
be evidence of common ancestry.
COMPARATIVE
EMBRYOLOGY
Embryos of different species
may appear similar in early
stages of development
ex: vertebrate development
GENETIC
INFORMATION
GENETIC
INFORMATION
Small mutations or
changes in the DNA
eventually lead to the
evolution of new
species.
GENETIC
INFORMATION
GENETIC
INFORMATION
GENETIC
INFORMATION
GENETIC
INFORMATION
EVIDENCE FROM
BIOGEOGRAPHY
Biogeography is the
study of how and
why organisms live
where they do.
LET'S CONSIDER THE CAMEL
FAMILY AS AN EXAMPLE.
Today, the camel family includes
different types of camels. All of today's
camels are descended from the same
camel ancestors. These ancestors lived
in North America about a million years
ago.
LET'S CONSIDER THE CAMEL
FAMILY AS AN EXAMPLE.
Early North American camels
migrated to other places.
Some went to East Asia via a
land bridge during the last ice
age. A few of them made it all
the way to Africa. Others went
to South America by crossing
the Isthmus of Panama.
LET'S CONSIDER THE CAMEL
FAMILY AS AN EXAMPLE.
Once camels reached these
different places, they evolved
independently. They evolved
adaptations that suited them for
the particular environment
where they lived. Through
natural selection, descendants of
the original camel ancestors
evolved the diversity they have
today.
one bird arrived on the
DARWIN'S FINCHES islands from South
America.
The first bird was a seed
eater.
It evolved into many finch
species, each adapted for a
different type of food.
This is an example of
adaptive radiation
DARWIN'S FINCHES
This is the process
by which a single
species evolves into
many new species to
fill available
ecological niches.
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