Evolution Lessons 4 & 5

Many animals have similar [blank_start]physical[blank_end] traits, such as having a [blank_start]tail[blank_end] or 4 legs. These [blank_start]shared[blank_end] characteristics are the result of having a [blank_start]common[blank_end] ancestor.

The five types of vertebrates are [blank_start]fish[blank_end], [blank_start]amphibians[blank_end], [blank_start]reptiles[blank_end], [blank_start]birds[blank_end], and [blank_start]mammals[blank_end].

Characteristics of Fish: - Live in [blank_start]water[blank_end] - Most are [blank_start]bony[blank_end] - Some have [blank_start]scales[blank_end] - [blank_start]Gills[blank_end]

Characteristics of Amphibians: - Born in [blank_start]water[blank_end] - Live in [blank_start]land[blank_end] as an adult - Some have [blank_start]four[blank_end] legs

Characteristics of Reptiles: - Live on [blank_start]land[blank_end] - Tough, waterproof [blank_start]skin[blank_end] - Breathes through [blank_start]lungs[blank_end]

Characteristics of Birds: - Feathers and wings - [blank_start]Beaks[blank_end] - [blank_start]Two[blank_end] legs

Characteristics of Mammals: - Live [blank_start]young[blank_end] or eggs - Fur and [blank_start]hair[blank_end] - Bigger [blank_start]brain[blank_end] - Feed [blank_start]milk[blank_end]

The 8 types of invertebrates are: [blank_start]sponges[blank_end], [blank_start]cnidaria[blank_end], [blank_start]flatworms[blank_end], [blank_start]roundworms[blank_end]. [blank_start]segmented worms[blank_end], [blank_start]mollusks[blank_end], [blank_start]arthropods[blank_end], and [blank_start]echinoderms[blank_end].

An embryo is an [blank_start]unborn[blank_end] or unhatched offspring that is developing from the [blank_start]fertilized[blank_end] egg. [blank_start]Vertebrate[blank_end] embryos can be compared to determine common [blank_start]ancestry[blank_end].

DNA [blank_start]sequences[blank_end] can be compared between [blank_start]species[blank_end] to determine how similar they are. Human and chimpanzee DNA are [blank_start]98.8[blank_end]% the same.

Body [blank_start]structures[blank_end] in modern organisms evolved from a structure in a [blank_start]common[blank_end] ancestor. These structures can have different [blank_start]functions[blank_end], but still have the same basic [blank_start]form[blank_end].

The six bones found in all tetrapod legs are [blank_start]humerus[blank_end], [blank_start]radius[blank_end], [blank_start]ulna[blank_end], [blank_start]carpals[blank_end], [blank_start]metacarpal[blank_end], and [blank_start]phalanges[blank_end].

The ancestor of modern whales walked on [blank_start]four legs[blank_end] on land (terrestrial). [blank_start]Fossil[blank_end] remains of various [blank_start]extinct[blank_end] species have been foumd.

Hominids are [blank_start]primate[blank_end] family that includes [blank_start]modern[blank_end] humans and their ancestors. Hominids split from other primates about [blank_start]seven[blank_end] million years ago.

Cladograms show the amount of relatedness among organisms based on the number of physical characteristics that they share. Before the discovery of [blank_start]DNA[blank_end], organisms that [blank_start]looked[blank_end] the same were believed to be [blank_start]related[blank_end].

Early embryos resemble each other because they shared/[blank_start]evolved[blank_end] from a [blank_start]common[blank_end] ancestor. Animals with analogous structures usually share the same [blank_start]environment[blank_end] and have similar [blank_start]adaptations[blank_end].

Amphibians, such as frogs, have a [blank_start]backbone[blank_end] but not an amniote egg, but reptiles, such as lizards and birds, and mammals, such as humans and kangaroos, have the amniote egg because their offspring develop on [blank_start]land[blank_end].

Phylogenetic trees are more [blank_start]complex[blank_end] cladograms that show evolutionary [blank_start]relationships[blank_end] where extinct ancestors are found at [blank_start]branch[blank_end] points, and extant species are at the [blank_start]top[blank_end] of the tree.

All living organisms on Earth [blank_start]descended[blank_end] from a common ancestor but each species has evolved specific [blank_start]adaptations[blank_end] which allow them to [blank_start]survive[blank_end] and reproduce in the environment that they live in.

Pieces of evidence that prove the process of evolution.