Explain how each of the following are evidence for biological evolution. Provide an example for each. A....

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Biology

Explain how each of the following are evidence for biologicalevolution. Provide an example for each.
A. Comparative anatomy
B. Embryology
C. Fossils
D. Biogeography
E. Artificial selection
F. Vestigial structures
G. Molecular biology
H. Direct observation
I. Experimental evolution

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Answer Evidence from FossilsEvolution of the Horse The fossil record reveals how horsesevolved The lineage that led to modern horses Equus grew tallerover time from the 04 m Hyracotherium to the 16 m Equus Thislineage also developed longer molar teeth and the degeneration ofthe outer phalanges on the feetFossils are a window into the past They provide clear evidencethat evolution has occurred Scientists who find and study fossilsare called paleontologists How do they use fossils tounderstand the past Consider the example of the horse outlined inFossils spanning a period of more than 50 million years show howthe horse evolvedThe oldest horse fossils show what the earliest horses werelike They were only 04 m tall or about the size of a fox andthey had four long toes Other evidence shows they lived in woodedmarshlands where they probably ate soft leaves Through time theclimate became drier and grasslands slowly replaced the marshesLater fossils show that horses changed as wellThey became taller which would help them see predators whilethey fed in tall grasses Eventually they reached a height ofabout 16 mThey evolved a single large toe that eventually became a hoofThis would help them run swiftly and escape predatorsTheir molars back teeth became longer and covered with hardcement This would allow them to grind tough grasses and grassseeds without wearing out their teethEvidence from Living SpeciesScientists can learn a great deal about evolution by studyingliving species They can compare the anatomy embryos and DNA ofmodern organisms to help understand how they evolvedHands of Different Mammals The forelimbs of all mammals havethe same basic bone structureComparative AnatomyComparative anatomy is the study of the similarities anddifferences in the structures of different species Similar bodyparts may be homologous structures or analogous structures Bothprovide evidence for evolutionHomologous structures are structures that are similar in relatedorganisms because they were inherited from a common ancestor Thesestructures may or may not have the same function in thedescendants Figure shows the upper appendages of several differentmammals They all have the same basic pattern of bones althoughthey now have different functions All of these mammals inheritedthis basic bone pattern from a common ancestorAnalogous structures are structures that are similar inunrelated organisms The structures are similar because theyevolved to do the same job not because they were inherited from acommon ancestor For example the wings of bats and birds shown inthe figure that follows look similar on the outside and have thesame function However wings evolved independently in See Answer

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