AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Scientists compare the anatomy, embryos, and DNA of living things to understand how they evolved. Evidence for evolution is provided by homologous structures. These are structures shared by related organisms that were inherited from a common ancestor. Other evidence for evolution is provided by analogous structures.

Detailed explanation-2: -Scientists look at embryos of different species to see how closely related they are. Species that share a recent common ancestor will develop in similar ways.

Detailed explanation-3: -Comparative anatomy is an important tool that helps determine evolutionary relationships between organisms and whether or not they share common ancestors. However, it is also important evidence for evolution. Anatomical similarities between organisms support the idea that these organisms evolved from a common ancestor.

Detailed explanation-4: -Comparative embryology is the study of the similarities and differences in the embryos of different species. Similarities in embryos are evidence of common ancestry. All vertebrate embryos, for example, have gill slits and tails (see the Figure below).

Detailed explanation-5: -How does comparing the embryos of different organisms support the theory of evolution? The embryos of all organisms are identical. The stages of development of the embryos of different organisms are extremely similar, thereby suggesting common ancestors.