Evidences of Evolution
The Theory of Evolution is, like the name says, only a theory. Still, these theories become way more likely if evidences can be added to that. Those evidences are: Fossil record, Comparative Anatomy, Comparative Embryology and Molecular Evidence.
Fossil Record
Fossils are preserved remains from the past. Comparing and contrasting homologous structures in fossils from different times can give major evidence about how organisms changed over time.
Fossils are preserved remains from the past. Comparing and contrasting homologous structures in fossils from different times can give major evidence about how organisms changed over time.
Comparative Anatomy
By comparing the bones and organs of different species give evidence about how they might or might not be related in a way. There are 2 different comparisons:
1. Homologous Structures: When species have similar bone structures they might have had the same ancestors. If things have the same function and structure, it is a good peace of evidence.
2. Analogous Structures: If it has the same function but not a similar structure it is NOT a good peace of evidence because the DNA is not related.
By comparing the bones and organs of different species give evidence about how they might or might not be related in a way. There are 2 different comparisons:
1. Homologous Structures: When species have similar bone structures they might have had the same ancestors. If things have the same function and structure, it is a good peace of evidence.
2. Analogous Structures: If it has the same function but not a similar structure it is NOT a good peace of evidence because the DNA is not related.
Comparative Embryology
Comparing species in its first stages gives evidence on how the basic structure of the species are related. If so, the species might have been related at some point.
Comparing species in its first stages gives evidence on how the basic structure of the species are related. If so, the species might have been related at some point.
Molecular Evidence
In this process, you examine directly a gene or its protein. It is a highly lab intensive progress and expensive, but it gives one of the most accurate evidences for evolution. There are two application of it:
1. Amino Acid Sequences: It is possible to examine the increase of different mutations after a population separated. The higher the difference, the longer the time of separation. It is like molecular "clock".
2. DNA Comparisons: The DNA is within an interbreeding species fairly similar. The more different a DNA is, the longer they have been separated.
In this process, you examine directly a gene or its protein. It is a highly lab intensive progress and expensive, but it gives one of the most accurate evidences for evolution. There are two application of it:
1. Amino Acid Sequences: It is possible to examine the increase of different mutations after a population separated. The higher the difference, the longer the time of separation. It is like molecular "clock".
2. DNA Comparisons: The DNA is within an interbreeding species fairly similar. The more different a DNA is, the longer they have been separated.