Chapter 15.

2 Evolution
NWRC BIO 30

Support for Evolution

Biological evolution, simply put, is descent with modification. This definition encompasses small-scale evolution (changes in gene frequency in a population from one generation to the next) and large-scale evolution (the descent of different species from a common ancestor over many generations). Evolution helps us to understand the history of life

Descent with Modification

Support for Evolution

Through the process of descent with modification, the common ancestor of life on Earth gave rise to the fantastic diversity that we see documented in the fossil record and around us today.

Support for Evolution Fossil Record

Fossils are traces of organisms that lived in the past. When fossils are found, they are analyzed to determine the age of the fossil. The absolute age of the fossil can be determined though radiometric dating and determining the layer of rock in which the fossil was found. Older layers are found deeper within the earth than newer layers. Before going on watch the video: Evolution Primer #3: How Do We Know Evolution Happens?

Fossil Record
Ancestral characteristic An ancestral characteristic is a modified character shared between two groups and present in their common ancestor(s) in an unmodified form.

Fossil Record
An example in which the ancestral characteristic is considered is with bird feathers and mammalian hair, both of which are modifications on the reptilian scale. In this case the reptilian scale is considered to be the ancestral characteristic.

Fossil Record
Derived characteristics A derived characteristic is a novel modification of the ancestral form. So, in the Last example, both hair and feathers represent derived characteristics. The sharing of presumptive derived characteristics is considered to be important evidence of evolutionary relatedness.

Comparative Anatomy
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms.

Comparative Anatomy

Comparative Anatomy

Homologous Structures
Comparing the structures of the forelimbs of the animals on the previous slides (including humans) all evolved from a common ancestor and they all share common anatomical traits. Though the limbs look strikingly different on the outside and though they vary in function, they are very similar in skeletal structure.

Homologous Structures
More significantly, they are derived from the same structures in the embryo. Structures that are embryologically similar, but have different functions, are called homologous structures. Though these animals look different, a comparison of homologous structures indicates that they are quite similar. This suggests that these animals evolved from a common ancestor.

Vestigial Organs
Some organisms have structures or organs that seem to serve no useful function. For example, humans have a tailbone at the end of the spine that is of no apparent use. Some snakes have tiny pelvic bones and limb bones, and some cave-dwelling salamanders have eyes even though members of the species are completely blind.

Vestigial Organs
Pythons and boa constrictors have tiny hind leg bones buried in muscles toward their tail ends.

Vestigial Organs
Cave-dwelling tetra fish (Astyanax mexicanus) are blind; they have small vestigial eyes that do not work.

Vestigial Organs
Pelvic bones in the baleen whale provide evidence for evolution as we can see that structures change over time

Vestigial Organs
Humans also have vestigial features, evidence of our own evolutionary history. The appendix, for instance, is believed to be a remnant of a larger, plant-digesting structure found in our ancestors.
Human Vestiges erector pili (muscles that cause goose bumps), body hair, coccyx (tail bone), wisdom teeth, appendix

Analogous Structures
Two structures in biology are said to be analogous if they perform the same or similar function by a similar mechanism but evolved separately. The wings of pterosaurs (1), bats (2) and birds (3) are analogous: they serve the same function and are similar in structure, but each evolved independently.

Analogous Structures

Comparative Biochemistry
This is the comparison of organisms at a chemical level. For example if you compared 2 animals very closely related you would find more similarities in the sequences of amino acids. For example as primates we are closely related to chimpanzees 98.2% similar, we are 97.7% similar to gorillas and 96.3% similar to orangutans. **glencoe

Adaptation
Organisms that are adapted to their environment are able to: Obtain air, water, food and nutrients. Cope with physical conditions such as temperature, light and heat. Defend themselves from their natural enemies. Reproduce. Respond to changes around them.

Adaptation
Adaptations enable living organisms to cope with environmental stresses and pressures. Adaptation can be structural or behavioral.

Adaptation
Structural adaptations are special body parts of an organism that help it to survive in its natural habitat (e.g., skin color, shape, body covering).

Adaptation
Behavioral adaptations are special ways a particular organism behaves to survive in its natural habitat.

Camouflage
The outward coloration that allows animals to appear similar to the plants and places in which they live is known as camouflage.

 Camouflage permits predators hide in order to ambush prey

 Or it can allow prey to hide from predators Either way its an adaptive measure to success in survival

Mimicry
Mimicry is a phenomenon in which a mimic bears a resemblance to another species.. This occurs in both predatory and prey species.
The use of mimicry is prevalent throughout nature and is a prime example of evolution by natural selection. Butterflies use it as a protection mechanism in their larva stage and in the final adult stage. Either to trick predators into thinking they are an inedible species or perhaps an entirely different organism all together.

Examples of Mimicry

Mimicry
When this moth is threatened it pulls back its upper wing revealing these "Eyes" which startle the attacker long enough for the moth to escape.

Note the Eyes on the toad

Mimicry
The venomous Coral snake looks much like the non-venomous Scarlet King.

 As a caterpillar the Monarch Butterfly eats Milkweeds with produce a toxin. But the Monarch has developed a way to counter these toxins and stores them up in its body. As an adult Monarchs taste bad and birds learn not to eat butterflies that have black and orange wings The Viceroy Butterfly tastes great (to birds) but the birds who have learned that butterflies with black and orange wings (Monarchs) taste bad won't eat Viceroys. The Viceroy is the mimic

End of Sec 15-2 Assessment Questions

1. Fossils reveal similarities between extinct and living organisms and some forms have features which link the 2

End of Sec 15-2 Assessment Questions

2. Those features indicate shared ancestry and greater fitness to the environment

End of Sec 15-2 Assessment Questions

3. Complex biochemicals found in diverse creatures would not have evolved independently and therefore indicate shared ancestry

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4. Morphological evidence is evidence concerning anatomy and biochemical is evidence concerning the DNA