Biology 11
Evidence for evolution
Use your text p. 61 – 73. Complete each of the following categories of evidence for evolution.
1.
Direct evidence for evolution
a) Fossils: p. 61 - 63
 Describe how they are formed
 How do they provide evidence of evolution?
b) Geological Time Scale: right hand column on p. 65
 Study the geological time scale on p. 64 - 65 and create a timeline of major biological
events from 500 – 570 million years ago (mya) to 65 mya.
c) Dating Geological Events: p.66
 Describe how scientists use radioactive dating to determine the age of rocks and fossils.
d) Identifying Patterns: p. 68
 Describe what is meant by gaps or missing links in the fossil record.
 Describe what scientists believe about these gaps.
2. Indirect evidence for evolution
a) Embryology: p. 69 – 70
 Describe the scientific significance of the striking similarity between the embryos of
different species.
b) Homologous structures: p. 70 – 71
 What are homologous structures?
 Describe an example of a homologous structure.
c) Analogous structures: p. 71
 What are analogous structures?
 Describe an example of an analogous structure.
d) Vestigial structures: p. 71
 What are vestigial structures?
 Describe an example of a vestigial structure.
e) Physiological evidence: p. 72
 Describe this type of evidence for evolution
f) Biochemical evidence: p. 72 – 73
 Describe how comparisons of DNA and proteins are evidence for evolution.
3. Complete the Case Study – Evolution of the Horse (p. 75)