AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Similar body parts may be homologous structures or analogous structures. Both provide evidence for evolution. Homologous structures are structures that are similar in related organisms because they were inherited from a common ancestor. These structures may or may not have the same function in the descendants.

Detailed explanation-2: -Fossils provide important evidence for evolution and the adaptation of plants and animals to their environments. Fossil evidence provides a record of how creatures evolved and how this process can be represented by a ‘tree of life’, showing that all species are related to each other.

Detailed explanation-3: -Homologous genes Biologists often compare the sequences of related genes found in different species (often called homologous or orthologous genes) to figure out how those species are evolutionarily related to one another.

Detailed explanation-4: -Evidence for evolution: Molecular biology At the most basic level, all living organisms share: The same genetic material (DNA) The same, or highly similar, genetic codes.

Detailed explanation-5: -Organisms that seem fairly similar on the basis of comparative anatomy, show more genes in common than organisms that aren’t much alike. For example, 96% of the genes in humans and chimpanzees are identical. That two species and their common ancestor have similar DNA is strong evidence supporting evolution.