Outline and explain at least five evidence that evolution
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Google Gemini AI
1 day ago
Evidence for Evolution
1. Fossil Record:
- Fossils show a gradual progression of species over time. - Transitional fossils, such as Archaeopteryx, bridge the gap between different groups of organisms. - The fossil record supports the concept of common ancestry.
2. Comparative Anatomy:
- Homologous structures, such as limbs in vertebrates, show similarities in structure despite different functions. - Vestigial structures, such as wisdom teeth in humans, are remnants of ancestral structures no longer essential. - Analogous structures, such as wings in bats and birds, serve similar functions but have different origins.
3. Molecular Biology:
- DNA and protein sequences show similarities between different species. - The more closely related two species are, the more similar their genetic material will be. - Phylogenetic trees based on genetic data show the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
4. Geographic Distribution:
- Species often have specific geographic distributions due to their adaptations to specific environments. - Closely related species may live in adjacent areas, while more distantly related species may live in more disparate locations. - This suggests that species have evolved and diversified over time in response to geographic isolation and environmental pressures.
5. Natural Selection:
- Natural selection is the process by which individuals with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce in a particular environment. - Over time, this process can lead to the accumulation of beneficial traits and the evolution of new species. - Natural selection can be observed in nature, such as the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.