5.1 Evidence for Evolution

Essential Idea

• There is overwhelming evidence for the evolution of life on Earth.

Understandings

1. Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of a species change.

2. The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.

3. Selective breeding of domesticated animals shows that artificial selection can cause evolution.

4. Evolution of homologous structures by adaptive radiation explains similarities in structure when there are differences in function.

5. Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution.

6. Continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations matches the concept of gradual divergence.

Applications

1. Development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.

2. Comparison of the pentadactyl limb of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles with different methods of locomotion.

Skills

• None

Guidance

• None

Key Vocabulary

• Heredity

• Evolution

  • Evidence

    • Fossil record

    • Selective breeding (artificial selection)

    • Homologous structures

    • Adaptive radiation

• Speciation

• Gradual divergence

Textbook Reading and/or Activities

Click HERE for a pdf of chapter 5.

• Pages 228-240

  • Challenge Yourself (p.234-235)

  • Nature of Science (p.237)

  • Worked Example (p.239)

  • TOK (p.240)

  • Exercises (p.240)

Notes and Study Questions

Bob Smullen Notes Study Questions

Jacob Cedarbaum Notes Study Questions

Stephen Taylor Notes (Slides 35-62) Study Questions

Chris Paine Notes Study Questions

Learning Activities

Peppered Moths

Read the information provided to learn more about the pepper moth scenario and then play the game to see what happens.

Supplemental Reading

Reading

Description

This video discusses artificial selection through selective breeding as evidence of evolution.