Lesson
11 Evidence for Evolution
Introduction
Do you know why dinosaurs no longer exist today? Why some animals before are very
different from the animals we have now? From Grade 7 to Grade 9 you have learned that
organisms are grouped into Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
You also learned that organisms possess unique characteristics. Some organisms may look
the same but have distinct differences from each other, others may not be related to one
another but they have similar functional features and characteristics. You may also
wonder why some animals that are present before are no longer existing today. Such
extinction of organisms were caused by various environmental factors and human
activities.
Previously, you have learned how DNA is used in making proteins from the
replication process to the translation of mRNA strand then making proteins. However,
during protein synthesis several factors changes the DNA sequence causing a mutation.
Before you proceed to the new topic, let’s have a review of the previous lesson.
Protein Synthesis
Instruction: Read the selection and answer the given questions below. Write your
answers in your answer sheet.
Protein synthesis is the process used by the body to make proteins. The first
step of protein synthesis is called Transcription. It occurs in the nucleus. During
transcription, mRNA transcribes (copies) DNA. DNA is “unzipped” and the mRNA
strand copies a strand of DNA. Once it does this, mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes
into the cytoplasm. mRNA will then attach itself to a ribosome. The strand of mRNA is
then read in order to make protein. They are read 3 bases at a time. These bases are
called codons. tRNA is the fetching puppy. It brings the amino acids to the ribosome
to help make the protein. The 3 bases on tRNA are called anti-codons. Remember,
amino acids are the building blocks for protein. On the mRNA strand, there are start
and stop codons. Your body knows where to start and stop making certain proteins.
Just like when we read a sentence, we know when to start reading by the capitalized
word and when to stop by the period.
Activity 1
1. What is the first step of protein synthesis? ______________
2. What is the second step of protein synthesis? ____________ 3. Where does the
first step of protein synthesis occur? _________ 4. Nitrogen bases are read
____ bases at a time.
5. The bases on the mRNA are called __________?
6. The bases on tRNA are called ___________?
7. A bunch of amino acids put together makes ____________
From Piso to Peso
(Evolutionary Change)
Old Philippines Banknotes New Philippines Banknotes
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Figue 1. Philippine Banknots
Source: [Link] Observe the
old and new paper bills above. Based from your observations, answer the following
questions.
Activity 2
1. What are the observable changes?
2. What do you think are the factors that brought these changes?
3. Aside from living things where else do you observe evolutionary changes?
Evolution is a continuing process of change from one state, condition, or form to
another. Like in the case of the Philippines’ banknotes, there are changes in color, design
and even material use from past to present. In the case of organisms, evolution resulted
in the changes in the genetic material of a population overtime. It reflects the
adaptations of organisms to their changing environments and can result to altered genes,
novel traits, and new species. It also depends on both changes in genetic variability and
changes in allele frequencies over time.
EVIDENCE FROM EVOLUTION
Organisms inhabiting the earth have changed overtime, their structures, traits, and
abilities allowed them to adapt and survived in their environment. Data from the fossil
records, anatomy and morphology; embryonic development and biochemistry could be
analyzed to demonstrate if evolution of life on earth has taken place.
1. Evidence from Fossil Records
Have you ever seen fossils of any organisms? Fossils are examples of evidence of
paleontologists use in studying evolution. They are traces of organisms that lived in the
past and were preserved by natural process or catastrophic events. They can be remains
of organisms which include bones, shells, teeth and as well as feces embedded in rocks,
peat, resin and ice. Paleontologist is a person who studies fossils.
Figure 2. Fossils
Most fossils were commonly found in sedimentary rocks. They were from the hard
parts of the organism like woody stem, bones, or teeth. These remains of prehistoric
organisms or evidence of prehistoric life tells us a great deal about what the world was like
millions or even billions of years ago.
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Figure 3. Compression and Impression
Another type of fossil is an imprint or impression. Imprints are shallow external
molds left by animal or plant tissues with little or no organic materials present.
Compression is the other side with more organic material.
Era Period Organism
Cenozoic Recent
Quarternary
Tertiary
Mesozoic Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Paleozoic Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Activity 3
1. Analyze the table above. Which is assumed to be the oldest organism? Why do you
think so? What is the probable age of the fossil?
2. In what era can you probably find the most recent fossil? Why do you say so?
3. Do you think there are organisms that lived during the Cambrian Period?
4. When do you think did the present day humans first appeared on earth?
Methods Used in Determining the Age of Fossils
1. Relative Dating- is a method used to determine the age of the rocks by
comparing them with the rocks in the other layer. The younger the sedimentary
rock layer is assumed to be found on top and the older rock is found at the
bottom layer.
2. Radiometric Dating- is a method used to determine the age of rocks using
decay of radioactive isotopes presents in rocks such as carbon-14. All organisms
have decaying carbon-14 in it. Plants and animals that are still alive constantly
replace the supply of carbon in their body and the amount of carbon-14 in their
body stays the same. When an organism dies, carbon-14 starts to decay. Carbon
Dating- is used to tell the age of organic materials. Art collectors use carbon dating to
determine if a piece of artwork is genuine or not
Do you want to know how to determine the age of a fossil? Try this activity.
Activity 4: What’s my age?
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Procedure:
Use the information below to answer the age of the fossils.
One way scientists determine the age of fossils is by checking the amount of
radioactive carbon -14 in the fossil. Carbon-14 breaks down or decays to form
nitrogen-14; the rate of this decay is constant e.g. half of the remaining Carbon-
14 breaks down every 5730 years.
1. What
is
the
oldest fossil?
2. Why is it important to know the age of the fossil?
[Link] Time Scale
Out of the examination of layers of rocks and dating fossils, scientists were able to
develop the Geologic Time Scale. The Geologic Time Scale shows the major events in the
Earth’s history. It also shows the appearance of various kinds of organisms in a particular
period of time on earth.
Era is the largest division of Geologic Time Scale, namely Precambrian, Paleozoic,
Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Each Era is further divided into Period. Looking at the Geologic
Time Scale, can you determine how old is the Earth? Do you have any idea why particular
organisms exist in every period or era?
[Link] of Evolution from Comparative Anatomy
Another hint of evolutionary concept is from the comparative anatomy. Structures
from different species which have similar internal framework, position, and embryonic
development are considered to be homologous.
Homologous structures may perform different functions in the species living in the
different environment, or it may have the same origin but different functions.
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Figure 5. Homologous Structures
Here are some examples of homologous structures: forelimbs of dog, bird, lizard,
and whale, which are structurally the same, but functionally different.
Structures of unrelated species may evolve to look alike, because the structure is
adapted to similar function. These are called analogous structures. Analogous
structures have similar functions but different origin.
Figure 6. Analogous Structures
Examples are wings of birds, bats, and insects that have the same function but different
in origin.
AHA! Analogous! Homologous!
Procedure:
Write in the space provided H if the structures are homologous and A if they are
analogous.
Structure Classification
1. _____
1. Can you say that
2. _____ human, whale and
bat might belong
to a common
ancestral group?
Explain why.
2. 3. _____ Give other
examples of
homologous
structures and
4. _____ analogous
structures.
Front limbs of man, cat, horse, bat, whales, and other mammals are made up of
same kinds of bones, they just vary only in size and function differently.
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Divergent Evolution
Divergent evolution occurs when a population of
animals or plants is split into two groups by a geographic
barrier (for instance, a body of water or a migration to a
new area), causing each group to develop different traits
under their respective selective pressures and natural
selection. Eventually, the two groups will look or behave so
different that they can be considered separate species (a
process called speciation), and interbreeding will no longer
be possible.
The presence of homologous structures is a strong indicator that the
organisms evolved from common ancestors.
Convergent Evolution
Convergence is an increase in similarities among
species derived from different ancestors as a result of
similar adaptation to similar environment.
In convergent evolution, analogous structures of unrelated organisms
from different ancestors develop similar function such as butterfly wings and bird
wings.
[Link] from Embryonic Development
Embryology is the study of the development of the anatomy of an organism
to its adult form, provides evidence for evolution as embryo formation in
widelydivergent grouped of organisms tends to be conserved. Structures that are
absent in adults of some groups often appear in their embryonic forms.
An embryo is an early stage of development in organisms. Embryonic
development includes stages such as blastula, gastrula, and organogenesis. The
embryo of fishes, salamanders, lizards, birds, cats, and humans are similar during
the first stage of their embryonic development: and have several homologous
structures that are not present when the organisms are adults.
Studies show that species that are closely related exhibit similar embryonic
development. Even when in the adult stage, the organisms are quite different.
Embryonic development can be used to study the relationship of organisms.
Is it true that humans are related to other organisms? If yes, then who’s your
relative?
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Evidence from Biochemical Analysis and Amino Acid Sequence
After the four activities, you’ve learned that fossil records, anatomical
structures and embryonic development can be used to study the relationship of
organisms. Another evidence of evolution is provided by the biochemical analysis
and amino acid sequence of the organisms’ DNA. The next activity will further help
you understand more the relationship of organisms based on their amino acid
sequences.
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Guide Questions:
1. Based on the activity, which organism is closely related to humans?
2. Which organism is least related to humans?
6. Study the tables 6 and 7.
3. What organism appears to be least related to humans?
4. In Tables 6 and 7, which pair of organisms appears to be more related to
each other? Which pair of organisms is the least related to each other? Why
did you say so?
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5. If the amino acid sequence of the two organisms are similar, would their DNA
be also similar? Why?
6. Do you think the chimpanzee, gorilla, and humans have a common ancestry?
Explain your answer.
The greater the similarity in amino acid sequence, the closer the relationship
of the organisms. The organisms which are similar in structure and also possess
similarity at the biochemical level could probably have a common ancestor.
Comparing the amino acid sequences can show closer genetic relationships
between organisms that may very appears very different, such as horse and gorilla.
What’s More
Lesson Review
A. Write the letter of the correct definition on your answer sheet.
1. _____ vestigial structure a. remains of dead organisms
2. _____ homologous structures b. similarities and differences in
3. _____ DNA sequence amino sequences between organisms
4. _____ fossil record c. structures in different organisms having 5.
_____ embryology the same bone makeup
d. study of the early development of fetuses
different organisms; has documented that
in early stages of development, dogs,
pigs, and humans resemble each other e.
structures that have reduced in size
because they no longer serve an
important function.
B. True or False. Write the word True if the statement is correct and False if not.
1. According to evolutionist, the best test to show the relatedness of two organisms
are the similarity in their genomic DNA.
2. Embryonic development of bird and human show similarities during stage 1.
3. The studies of differences and similarities between different things are called
comparative anatomy.
4. Homologous structure anatomically same structure but different function.
5. In convergent evolution, organisms that are closely related develop similar
characteristics due to living in the same environment.
What I Have Learned
Check your understanding. Write your answer in your answer sheet.
1. Why is it important to know the age of fossil?
2. What is geologic time scale?
3. What is the importance of comparative anatomy in the study of evolution?
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4. What is the difference between homologous from analogous structures?
5. What is embryonic development?
6. How is embryonic development provide evidence for evolution?
What I Can Do
Let us now apply what you have learned.
Instruction: For each statement, determine whether the evidence is comparative
anatomy (homologous structures or analogous structures), DNA analysis, or from
the fossil record. Then, using complete sentences, explain why it is evidence of
evolution, or that life changes over time. Copy the table and fill in in your answer
sheet.
Type of
Statements Explanation
Evidence
1. Humans, chimpanzees,
whales, and bats all have
the same bones in their
arms, fins, and wings
2. Scientists find fossilized bones
on a huge animal that doesn’t
exist today.
3. Humans, rabbits, and zebras
all have an appendix, an
extra piece in their digestive
system, although in humans
it’s much smaller.
4. Honey possums lick nectar
from flowers using a long
tongue made of soft muscle.
Butterflies lick nectar from
flowers using a long tongue
made of hard protein.
5. The human gene for your
muscle protein is different
from monkey muscle protein
in 4 places and different from
a chicken’s gene in 25 places
Assessment
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
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1. Which pairs of animals show a correct example of homologous structures? A.
Wings of butterfly and bat.
B. Flipper of whale and forelimb of cat.
C. Fingers of human and arm of starfish.
D. Tongue of frog and proboscis of mosquito
2. Where can most of the fossils be found?
A. Black soil C. Granite rock
B. Lava flows D. Sedimentary rock
3. Which of the following statements DOES NOT describe evolution? A. Evolution
is continuous.
B. Evolution refers to change.
C. The world is stable and unchanging.
D. If there is mutation, there is evolution.
4. In what Era can the oldest fossils be found?
A. Cenozoic B. Mesozoic C. Paleozoic D. Pre-Cambrian 5. Which is more
definite characteristics to show relatedness of two organisms?
A. Similarity in development C. Similarity in structure
B. Similarity in courting behavior D. Similarity in genomic DNA
6. Why do organisms with close biochemical similarities show stronger evolutionary
relationships?
A. They have varied and different ancestry.
B. They have common ancestor and have the same kind of proteins.
C. They have similar patterns during their early stages of development.
D. They possess same vestigial structure that made their evolutionary
relationship closer.
7. Which of the following are the most distantly related to one another?
A. Bears and whales. C. Tree frogs and snakes B. Sunfish and dolphins D.
Vampire bats and birds 8. How do you describe this evolution?
A. Analogous structures
B. Structural adaptation
C. Functional adaptation
D. Homologous structures
9. Structures with the same parts have different functions; suggests that organisms
share a common ancestry.
A. Fossil
B. Adaptive radiation
C. Vestigial structures
D. Homologous structures
10. Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have
different functions, but similar structures. These are known as
A. Fossils C. Vestigial structures
B. Analogous structures D. Homologous structures
11. Scientists think that dolphins and whales may have evolved from a common
ancestor. What evidence supports this hypothesis? A. They eat the same food.
B. They swim the same way.
C. They have similar anatomies.
D. They live in the same area of the ocean.
12. What do the similarities of the structures below suggests?
A. Evolved slowly
B. Live a long time
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C. A common ancestor
D. Grows at different rates
13. Whale fins and bat wings are anatomically similar. Which of the following does
this suggest about the animals?
A. Whales and bats move in the same way.
B. Whales and bats have a common ancestry.
C. Whales and bats have existed for the same amount of time D. Whales and
bats were once adapted to the same environment.
14. Which of the following would best determine whether two plant species share a
recent common ancestor?
A. Stem lengths C. Flowering times
B. DNA sequences D. Habitat distribution
15. DNA sequences in many human genes are very similar to the sequences of
corresponding genes in chimpanzees. The most likely explanation for this result
is that
A. Humans evolved from chimpanzees.
B. Chimpanzees evolved from humans.
C. Humans and chimpanzees are not closely related. D. Humans and
chimpanzees share a relatively recent common ancestor.
A. Multiple Choice. Choose the best answer. Write
the letter on your answer sheet.
1. Where can most of the fossils be found?
A. Black soil B. Granite rock C. Lava flows D. Sedimentary rock 2. Which
pairs of animals shows a correct example of homologous structures?
A. Wings of butterfly and wings of bat
B. Flipper of whale and forelimb of cat.
C. Fingers of human and arm of starfish.
D. Tongue of frog and proboscis of mosquito.
3. According to evolutionists, which is the best test to show the relatedness of two
organisms?
A. Similarity in structure
B. Similarity in development
C. Similarity in genomic DNA
D. Similarity in courting behavior
4. Based on the number of differences in amino acid sequence, which pair of
organisms is least related to each other?
A. Fruit fly – wheat C. Fruit fly – pigeon
B. Fruit fly – horse D. Human – wheat
5. Why do geologists use the geologic time scale? A. Because of having a leap year.
B. Because of time responsibility.
C. Because of the vegetation of the Earth.
D. Because of the time span of the Earth’s to show its history.
6.
Which of the following places the geologic time eras in order from oldest to most
recent?
A. Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
B. Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian
C. Mesozoic, Cenozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian
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D. Precambrian, Cenozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic
7. Which of the following pieces of evolution evidence deals with aged and
identified fossils?
A. Comparative anatomy
B. Comparative biochemistry
C. Comparative embryology
D. Fossil record
8. The diagram represents embryonic development in 5 organisms. The similarities
in embryonic development shown in the diagram suggest ….
A. They all undergo external
development.
B. They are all members of the
same species.
C. They may have evolved from a
common ancestor.
D. They have adaptations for the same environment as
adults.
9. Some organisms that share a common ancestor have features that have
different functions, but similar structures. These are known as ______.
A. Analogous structures C. Fossil structures
B. Homologous structures D. Vestigial structures
10. Biochemical analysis uses similarities in as evidence for evolutionary
relationships.
A. Bone structure C. DNA sequences
B. Cellular architecture D. Homologous structures
11. A technique used in dating a rock can be used to accurately predict the age of
the fossils occurring in the rocks. This technique involves
A. fossil dating C. structural geology
B. radioactive isotope decay D. successive isotope decay
12. In convergent evolution, organisms share physical similarities that can be seen
because they __________. A. Are closely related
B. Have a common ancestor
C. Develop homologous structures
D. Live in the same type of environment
13. Species splits into two or more descendant species resulting in once similar or
related species to become more and more dissimilar.
A. Analogous structures C. CoEvolution
B. Convergent Evolution D. Divergent Evolution
14. Which of the following statements is accurate? Hint: The more similar the
bands are to each other the more closely related
they are.
A. Species X evolved
from Species Y
B. Species A and Z
share a recent
common
ancestor.
C. Species A and Species Y are the same.
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D. Species Y and Species Z can interbreed.
15. In what Era can the oldest fossils be found?
A. Cenozoic B. Mesozoic C. Paleozoic D. Pre-Cambrian
References and Links
Printed Materials:
Alexander, P. Bahret, MJ, Charles, J.,Chaves,J.,Courts,G.,D’Allessio,NS., Biology The
Living World, Prentice hall New Jersey. 1989.
Biology,Science and Technology Textbook, Department of Education, 1990.
Brittain, TM., Biology: The Living World Laboratory Manual, New Jersey, USA:
Prentice Hall Englewood Cliffs.1989.
Campbell, NA., Williamson, B.,Heyden, RJ., Biology: Exploring New Life, New Jersey
USA: Pearson Education Inc. 2004.
Capco, CM. Phoenix Science Series: Biology Quezon City Philippines: Phoenix
Publishing House. 2003.
Carale LR., Galvez, ER. Risa,L. Biology Science and Technology for Better Life, Gil
Puyat Ave., Makati City Philippines: Basic Media System Inc. 1989.
Delos Reyes, J. Introductory Biology, University of the Philippines, Manila: IPPAO.
1995.
Kent, M, Advance Biology, Great Claredon St. Oxford USA: Oxford University Press
2000.
Mader, SS. Biology , USA: WM C. Brown Publishing. 1985.
Meyer, DE. Biological Science a Molecular Approach , Boulder, Colorado, USA
Biological, Science Curriculum Study . 1980.
Olivares, M., Bermio, E., Cruz J., Science and Technology for the Modern World;
SEMP II Diwa Scholastic Press Inc. 2003.
Payawal, PC., Lannu, A., Lucia S.D., Sangalang, MF., Soligam, AC., Cadiz, NM.,
Torreta, NK., Biology: Study and Review Guide, Greenhills San Juan, Phil:
Academe Publishing House 1993.
Rabago, LM., Joaquin, CC.,Lagunzad, CG. Functional Biology, Vibal Publishing 2010.
15 | Page
Reading Essentials for Biology, Teacher Annotated Edition, Glencoe science,
McGraw Hill, New [Link].
Electronic Sources: [Link] [Link]
[Link]
[Link]/[Link]?recor id+13165 http//
petrified wood [Link]/[Link]
[Link]
Poole, Lynne Carbon -14. [Link]
[Link] [Link] [Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
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Questions:
1. The age of the oldest fossil is 17
years old, a petrified wood.
2. The age of the fossil will
determine the particular Era or
Period the organisms existed on
Earth.
Activity 2
Questions:
1. The oldest organism in the list are the trilobites
answers may vary). The lived during Paleozoic Era,
in the Silurian and Ordovician period. They can be
600 million years old.
2. Cenozoic Era, the recent fossils may be found in the
uppermost layer of the rock (answer may vary)
3. Yes. Rock layers in the Cambrian period also have
traces/imprints of mollusks that lived during that
time. Most of them were invertebrates (answers
may vary)
4. Cenozoic Era, the fossil of the first human was
found during this Era.
Activity 1
WHAT’S IN ( WHAT’S NEW answers may vary)
1. Transcription 5. Codon 1. Observable changes include color and design.
2. Translation 6. Anti-codon 2. The factor that brought these changes is security
3. Nucleus 7. Protein reasons protecting and guarding from
counterfeiters.
4. 3
3. Answers may vary
PRETEST
1 . A 2 . D 3 . C 4 . D 5 . B 6 . B 7 . B 8 . A 9 . D 10 . D 11 . C 12 . C
13 . B14 . B15 . D
Answer Key
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Activity 3
Activity 4
may vary)
homologous
answers ( structures
determine examples about
students to do some research to
The teacher can assign the 2.
a common ancestor.
differently, suggest that they share
that just vary in size and function
mode up of same kinds of bones
forelimbs areYes,
) because their 1.
Questions:
Activity 5
) answers may (vary
Similarity in structures may suggest that organisms share common 4
ancestors forelimbs, structure of the eyes, .
of the head, hind limbs,
Possible answers: organisms
etc. are different in size, 3
Possible answers: the shape of head, lower parts of the body and
shape 2
.
forelimbs. similarities. .
The first and second stages of development of the organisms show 1
better Questions
.
:
Activity 6
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organism.
relationship of the
suggest the closer
sequence may acid
Yes,
ino similarity in am 6.
their DNA sequence.
may suggest similarity in
amino acid sequence
Yes, the similarity in 5.
acid sequence
differences in amino 47
Fruit fly and wheat, with
Fruit fly and screwworm 4.
sequence
differences in amino acid
Bread molds, with 48 3.
Kangaroo 2.
Chimpanzee 1.
Questions:
.D 5. True5
.A 4. True4
.B 3. True
3
.C 2. True
2
.E B. 1. True
1 A.
WHAT’S MORE
WHAT I CAN DO
(answers may vary
)
only during embryo development.
can besome
seen homologous structures
understanding of species’ evolution since
Embryonic development is important in the 6.
earliest phases.
embryos of the different organisms in its
Embryonic development is the study of the 5.
common ancestry.
function but do not share a a common
function while analogous structures share
ancestry but not necessarily a common
Homologous structures share a common 4.
ancestors
whether or not they share a common
relationships between organisms and
that helps determine evolutionary
Comparative anatomy is an important tool 3.
earth.
organisms in a particular period of time on
the appearance of various kinds of
events in the Earth’s history. It also shows
The Geologic Time Scale shows the major 2.
years.
changed over the last few billion how life
can build a history of life on Earth, that is,
aspects of the fossilized organism and we
The age can be correlated with other 1.
vary)
WHAT
answers may
( I HAVE LEARNED
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