Evidence of Evolution
1. Fossil Evidence
- Carbon dating--gives an age of a sample based on the amount of radioactive carbon is in a sample.
- Fossil record---creates a geologic time scale.
- Fossils reveal existence of transitional species
2. Homologous Structures-
- -structures that are embryologically similar, but have different functions, the wing of a bird and the forearm of a human
3. Vestigial Structures
- Organs or parts that have no current function
- Examples include pelvic bones in whales
4. Biochemistry and DNA
- DNA of closely related species have similar sequences
- Proteins and other biochemicals are similar across related species (Cytochrome C)
5. Embryological development
- Embryos follow similar patterns of development
- Early embryos of different species look very similar
6. Direct Observation
- Antibiotic resistance in bacteria
- Rock Pocket mice coloration
- Tuskless elephants
Evolution Activities
Galapagos Finches (HHMI Video)
Evolution by Natural Selection (VIDA) Elephants
Evolution of Rabbits and Wolves (VIDA)