Evolution Basics
What is the process by which species change over time?
Evolution
What does "homologous" mean in biology?
Having the same structure due to shared ancestry
What do embryos of fish, birds, and humans all have in early stages?
Pharyngeal pouches or gill slits
What is geographical distribution in evolution?
How species are spread across the planet
Who is known as the father of evolution?
Charles Darwin
True or False: Homologous structures have the same function in all species.
False
What does similarity in embryos suggest about evolution?
Common ancestry
What group of islands did Darwin study that helped him understand evolution?
Galápagos Islands
What book did Charles Darwin write about evolution?
On the Origin of Species
Name one example of a homologous organ in humans and whales.
Forelimbs (arms in humans, flippers in whales)
Which part of the embryo is often used to compare species?
Early developmental stages
Why do species on isolated islands often look different from mainland species?
They evolve separately due to isolation
What is the term for traits that help an organism survive and reproduce?
Adaptations
What do homologous structures suggest about species’ ancestry?
That they share a common ancestor
True or False: Embryonic development is identical in all animals.
False
What is the term for species that are found only in one location?
Endemic species
What is the name of the ship Darwin sailed on during his voyage?
HMS Beagle
How are homologous organs different from analogous organs?
Homologous organs have similar structure but may differ in function; analogous organs have similar function but different structure and origin
Why do scientists study embryos to understand evolution?
Because similarities in development show evolutionary relationships
How does geographical distribution support the theory of evolution?
It shows how species adapt to different environments and evolve independently