Vocabulary
What is the gradual development of a species over time called?
evolution
How are fossils formed?
Fossils form when an organism dies and is quickly buried by sediment. Over time, minerals replace the remains or leave an impression, turning it into rock.
What is an example of anatomical evidence for evolution?
The similar bone structure in the limbs of humans, whales, and bats.
What happens to embryos as they grow?
They begin to develop unique features that make each species different.
Why do scientists use more than one type of evidence (fossils, DNA, anatomy) to support evolution?
To make stronger, more reliable conclusions about relationships between species.
What is the study of early development stages in animals called?
embryology
Why are fossils important to scientists?
Fossils help scientists learn about ancient life, environments, and how organisms have changed over time.
How do scientists use anatomy to study evolution?
They compare body structures of different species to look for similarities and differences that show relationships.
What do many embryos have in common early on?
They often have tails, limb buds, and gill slits.
Scientists discover two animals with very similar bone structures in their limbs, but they live in different environments. What can they infer?
They likely share a common ancestor but adapted to different environments.
What is the study of body structures in organisms called?
anatomy
A scientist finds a fossilized shell in a desert. What does that say about the desert?
At some point in time it was covered by water.
How do homologous structures support evolution?
They show that different species are related because they share similar body structures.
Why do embryos of different animals look similar at first?
Because they share a common developmental plan from a common ancestor.
Why might adult whales not have hind legs, but their embryos do?
Because whales evolved from land animals.
What is the history of life on Earth documented by fossils called?
fossil record
What are the different types of fossils?
There are body fossils (bones, teeth, shells) and trace fossils (footprints, burrows, or imprints of activity).
What are homologous structures?
Homologous structures are body parts in different organisms that have similar structures but different functions.
How do embryos provide evidence of evolution?
They show shared traits that suggest species are related.
When comparing anatomy, why are skeletal structures more useful than traits like fur color?
Because bones show deeper similarities that are less affected by environment.
What is an animal with a spinal chord called?
vertebrae
Where are fossils usually found?
Fossils are most often found in sedimentary rock, where layers of sediment have built up over time.
Why might homologous structures have different functions?
Because species adapt to different environments over time.
If two species show highly similar early embryonic structures but develop very different adult forms, what does this indicate about their evolutionary history?
They share a common ancestor but diverged through evolution due to different adaptations.
A population experiences a mutation that helps some individuals survive better. How could this affect the species over time?
The trait may become more common, leading to evolution of the population.