Evidence of Evolution
The type of evidence that are the preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past.
What are fossils?!
We have been using the mnemonic, VOCAL, to help us remember the process of Natural Selection. Natural Selection is the mechanism that leads to evolution, or a gradual change in a species over time.
What does the V in VOCAL stand for?
What is variation?!
Explain variation.
Variation is any difference between individuals of the same species. Variation is brought about by sexual reproduction and mutations. Variation is necessary for evolution to happen. Biodiversity is the foundation for change.
The two types of structures that provide evidence of descent from a common ancestor?
Homologous structures and Vestigial structures provide evidence of descent from a common ancestor. Remember: common structure, not common function shows common ancestry. Analogous structures show similar pressures in a similar environment. **Shark, dolphin wolf lesson! :)
True or False?
All species, living and extinct, are descended from ancient common ancestors. A single tree of life links all living things.
The type of evidence that includes homologous structures and vestigial structures and show scientists that species are related and share a common ancestor.
What is comparative anatomy?!
We have been using the mnemonic, VOCAL, to help us remember the process of Natural Selection. Natural Selection is the mechanism that leads to evolution, or a gradual change in a species over time.
What does the O in VOCAL stand for?
What is overpopulation?
Explain overpopulation/overproduction.
More organisms are born than can survive. The environment only has enough resources for some of the organisms to survive.
__________ is to evolution as Mendel is to peas!
Darwin!!
What is fitness?
Fitness is not just about surviving, but about reproducing and passing those favorable traits on! :) (Mules survive but they are not fit.)
species are related and share a common ancestor!
We have been using the mnemonic, VOCAL, to help us remember the process of Natural Selection. Natural Selection is the mechanism that leads to evolution, or a gradual change in a species over time.
What does the C in VOCAL stand for?
What is competition?!
Competition is the struggle to survive. There is a struggle to survive b/c there are not enough resources to go around. The competition could be for food, shelter, a mate, predator/prey relationships, natural disasters...
A maple tree drops many, many seeds. This is an example of ...
overpopulation
If two organisms are closer together on a cladogram, what does that mean?
The closer two organisms are on a cladogram, the more closely related they are.
This type of evidence for evolution was not around during Darwin's time.
What is DNA?
We have been using the mnemonic, VOCAL, to help us remember the process of Natural Selection. Natural Selection is the mechanism that leads to evolution, or a gradual change in a species over time.
What does the A in VOCAL stand for?
What is Adaptation?!
Explain adaptation.
Adaptations are favorable traits that help an organism survive. Those favorable traits are then passed down to the offspring, while the organisms with the unfavorable traits die off or relocate/adapt somewhere else (maybe isolating enough to become a different species). You CANNOT change the traits you are born with!! (You cannot stretch your neck or claws.) Eventually, most of the population will have that favorable trait.
Two adorable orange kittens, named Lily and Daisy, came from the same litter. Are they identical? Why/why not?
The kittens are alike in all of the big, important ways, but there are small differences, or variations. Cats sexually reproduce and that is why the kittens are not identical. Only asexual reproduction produces clones.
What are the first three words that come to mind when you hear the name, Charles Darwin?
Answers could include, but not limited to:
evolution, natural selection, finches, bird beak size, Galapagos Islands, Origin of Species...
This is a diagram that shows how scientists think different groups of organisms are related.
What is a branching tree or cladogram!
We have been using the mnemonic, VOCAL, to help us remember the process of Natural Selection. Natural Selection is the mechanism that leads to evolution, or a gradual change in a species over time.
What does the L in VOCAL stand for?
What is Long Time?!
One of the biggest misconception in this unit is time. In class, we often model 3-5 generations, due to TIME restraints. Know that the process of evolution is not that quick. **We did study some examples that were quicker than others. Sometimes natural disasters can accelerate the time. The other misconception is that you CANNOT change the traits you are born with.
Many insects are no longer killed by some pesticides, increasing pesticide resistance. The insects that are not affected by the poison, pass that resistance down to their offspring. What is this called?
Adaptation. The insects with the favorable trait of not being killed by the poison survive and reproduce, passing that favorable trait down to the offspring. Eventually, most of the insects will be immune to the poison. (That is why natural deterrents are a great choice!)
Which two structures support the idea of a common ancestor?
Homologous structures and vestigial structures support the idea of a common ancestor.
Analogous structures support the idea of a common environment with similar environmental pressures. (Think Queen and David Bowie singing! Dah na na da na na na)