Evidence for EvolutionEvidence for Evolution

““Evidence of change”Evidence of change”

1. Homologous & Analogous 1. Homologous & Analogous StructuresStructures

Homologous Structure – Similar features Homologous Structure – Similar features shared by ancestors. shared by ancestors.

Ex. Beaks of birds or forelimbsEx. Beaks of birds or forelimbs

Analogous – structures that serve identical Analogous – structures that serve identical functions and look somewhat alike.functions and look somewhat alike.Ex. Wings of birds and insects. Ex. Wings of birds and insects.

2. Vestigial Structures2. Vestigial Structures Structures useful to ancestors but not useful to Structures useful to ancestors but not useful to

modern organisms. modern organisms. Ex. Tailbone in humansEx. Tailbone in humans

3. Similarities in Embryology3. Similarities in Embryology

In early embryologic development, all In early embryologic development, all vertebrate embryos are similar.vertebrate embryos are similar.

4. Similarities in Macromolecules4. Similarities in Macromolecules

Comparison of DNA or RNA of different Comparison of DNA or RNA of different species. species.