1. Name. 2/03/10 #43. Section 6. 3 Notes. Many types of evidence
Name 2/03/10 # Section 6.3 Notes Many types of evidence support evolution
fossil
genetic
biological

2. What is a scientific theory?
Scientific theory - widely accepted statement based on scientific evidence that helps explain and predict natural phenomena
Can you list any scientific theories?
Theory of evolution
Atomic theory
Theory of relativity
Big bang theory
The germ theory of illness

3. What do you need to prove a theory is accurate?
Evidence that confirms the theory
Can theories change? If so, how?
Yes, theories can change if new evidence becomes available.
What evidence supports the theory of evolution?
The theory of evolution has been built on three sources of evidence: fossil, biological and genetic.

4. How does fossil evidence support evolution?
Fossil evidence shows that two species with a common ancestor can develop differently
ancestor – an early form
of an organism from which
later forms descend
Example: The glyptodon
resembles the modern
armadillo found in
South America today.

5. How does biological evidence support evolution?
Scientists use biological evidence by studying the structure and development of living things.
Scientists focus three things:
-Vestigial organs
-Homologous structures
-Embryonic Development

6. Vestigial organs Vestigial organs are physical structures
that are no longer
useful to a living
organism, but may
have existed as fully
developed structures
in an ancestor.

7. Vestigial organs
Human examples:
-tail bone -appendix -wisdom teeth

8. Homologous Structures
Homologous Structures – Many different species share similar body structures.
However, these structures are used differently by each species.
The similarity shows that the organisms share a common ancestor.

9. Homologous Structures
Label the following structures found in each organism:
1) carpals ) radius ) humerus
4) phalanges 5) metacarpals ) ulna 3 2 6 1 5 4

10. Embryonic Development
There are many organisms that look very similar during embryonic development (earliest stages of life).
As the organisms develop, they look less and less alike.
These similarities again show that the organisms share a common ancestor.

12. How does genetic evidence support evolution?
Similar organisms have very similar genes
Less closely related organisms have genes that are much easier to tell apart.
The similar patterns in DNA show the organisms share a common ancestor.