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Evidence of Evolution

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Evidences of Evolution!

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Homologous Structures

Homologous Structures: Similar structure and different function.

These limbs are all built using the same pattern of bones. They have similar structure, but they are used for a different function. Whales swim, bats fly, cats walk, and humans grasp using these limbs. THIS IS EVIDENCE OF BEING MORE CLOSELY RELATED.

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Analogous Structures

Analogous Structure: Similar function and a different structure.

All of these limbs are built differently. They have different structures, but they are used for the same function, flying.

THESE ARE EVIDENCE OF NOT BEING CLOSELY RELATED

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Summary of homologous and analogous

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Vestigial Structures

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A Vestigial Structure is an anatomical feature that no longer seems to have a purpose in the current form of an organism.

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Vestigial Structures

  • Other examples:
    • Stubs on pythons, boas, and other snakes - ancestral legs with no known function.
    • Pelvic bones on whales
    • Human Tail Bone, appendix, and wisdom teeth
    • Penguin wings
  • VESTIGIAL STRUCTURES ARE EVIDENCE OF BEING CLOSELY RELATED

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Embryology

Embryology is the study of embryos and their development.

Comparative embryology studies the development of embryos across species.

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Evidence of Evolution: Embryology

  • Embryos of many organisms resemble each other.
  • Closely related organisms develop similarly, especially in early fetal stages.
  • This suggests that these organisms are related to each other
  • Mammal embryos (including humans) have fish-like gill slits and tails

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Use the following link to guess the embryo!

Guess the Embryo