Evidence For Evolution

Comparative Anatomy

Comparative Anatomy is used to determine the relationship between organisms with similar structures. There are two types of traits that are involved in Comparative Anatomy: homologous and analogous traits. Homologous traits are when a structure is similar in organisms that are related to one another. Both species have a common ancestorAnalogous traits are when a functioning structure in an organism is similar to that of a different organism. The species have no relation to one another.

DNA Sequencing

DNA sequencing is used to determine the precise sequence of nucleotides in the DNA of organisms. This method was developed in the mid 1970’s, and furthermore developed in the 1990’s due to the production of the Human Genome Project. The Human Genome Project is an international research facility dedicated to determining the DNA sequence of organisms, and the study of entire human genetic material. DNA sequencing is an advantage to discover how diseases are inherited and how to prevent them.

Palaeontology

Palaeontology is the study of fossil and ecologies of the past. It provides an insight in the life lived hundreds of millions of years ago; even dating back to evolution. Transitional form is a living or fossilized organism that has an evolutionary link between a modern day organism and a fossil. There are different branches of palaeontology such as:Taphonomy: Study of the processes of decay, preservation and formation of fossils.Palaeobotany: Study of fossil plantsPalynology: study of pollen and spores both living and fossilised.Human Palaeontology: study of prehistoric human and proto-human fossils.

Comparative Embryology

Comparative embryology is the comparing of the development of embryos in two or more species. It compares the similar stages of early development in humans and in animals all the way to their birth. This then shows the differences that lie between each species.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within all living organisms. One example would be DNA as all living things have DNA as it carries all the genetic information for an organism.