Lab #4 Make Up
Evidence of Evolution:
Background:
Much evidence has been found to indicate that living things have evolved or
changed gradually during their natural living history. The study of the fossils as well as
work in embryology, biochemistry, and comparative anatomy provides evidence for
evolution.
Objectives (Purpose):
1. In this lab you will learn about homologous, analogous, and vestigial structure
and their significance in evolution theory.
Materials:
Colored Pencils (6 different colors)
Lab Protocol
Homologous Structures Diagram Page
Procedure and Observations:
Part One: Homologous Structures:
1. Carefully examine the drawings of the bones shown in Figure 1 on the next page.
Look for similarities among various animals.
a. Color each part of the human arm a different color. (All bones of the
wrist should be a single color; the bone groups of the hand should be in
each of the other animals the same color as the human bone.
b. Describe the function of each set of bones below:
Table 1 Function of Bones:
Animal Function
Human
Whale
Cat
Bat
Bird
Crocodile
c. Are the bones arranged in a similar way in each animal?
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These structures are formed in similar ways during embryonic development and share
like arrangements; however, they have somewhat different forms and functions. They are
called homologous structures.
Lab # 21 Evidence of Evolution 1
Part Two: Analogous Structures:
1. Examine the butterfly wing and the bird wing shown in Figure 2.
d. What function do these structures share?
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e. How do the structures differ?
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f. Do birds and insects share any other structural similarities that would
suggest they are closely related taxonomically?
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Figure 2
Some apparently unrelated animals have organs with similar functions, yet are very
different in structure and form. These are referred to as analogous structures.
Part Three: Vestigial Structures:
Gradual changes have occurred through time that have in some cases reduced or removed
the function of some body structures and organs. The penguin’s wings and the legs bones
of snakes are examples of this phenomenon. These missing structure are said to be
vestigial.
Figure 3
1. The Cave Fish and Minnow
shown in Figure 3 are related, but the Cave Fish is blind.
Lab # 21 Evidence of Evolution 2
g. Explain why eyesight is not an important adaptation to life in a cave.
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h. Does the appearance of the Cave Fish and the Minnow suggest a common
ancestry? Why?
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2. Read the list of Human Vestigial Structures shown in Table 1.
c. Suggest a possible function for each structure and explain why it became
vestigial. Record your answers in the table.
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Table 2: Human Vestigial Structures:
Structure Probable Function Why Vestigial?
Appendix
Coccyx (tail bone)
Muscles that move ears
Muscles that make hair
stand up
Little toe
Wisdom teeth
Conclusion (Analysis and Interpretations):
1. Explain why the homologous structures in Part One are evidence of evolutionary
relationships?
2. Explain the evolutionary relationship between the fin of a fish and the flipper of a
whale.
3. List two structures (not from Table 1) that you think are vestigial and explain
why?
Lab # 21 Evidence of Evolution 3
Figure 1 Homologous Structures:
Lab # 21 Evidence of Evolution 4