Evidence of Evolution

better understand the kinds of organisms that lived in the past

better understand how the environment has changed over time

better understand how organisms have evolved over time

all of the above

Homologous structure

Analogous structure

Vestigial organs

Functional adaption

homologous structure

vestigial structure

structures that perform a similar function but are not similar in origin

remnants of once-important structures that have slowly lost all or most of their function

features found in different organisms that share structural similarities but may have very different functions

preserved remains of an organism

The bones are analogous structures to the fins of living fish.

The bones are vestigial structures that had a function in an ancestor.

The bones are homologous structures to the wings of butterflies.

The bones are fossil structures from an extinct ancestor.

whale flipper and bat wing

legs on a beetle and legs on a cat

Molecular

Anatomical

Embryological

Fossil