Topic 5.1: Evidence for Evolution

Essential Idea:  There is overwhelming evidence for the evolution of life on Earth.
At SHS, Topic 5.1 is taught in the following class unit(s):
Statements & Objectives:
5.1.U1  Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of species change.
  • Define evolution. ​
5.1.U2  The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
  • Define strata and paleontology.
  • Explain three pieces of evidence that fossils provide that evolution has occurred.​ ​
5.1.U3  Selective breeding of domesticated animals shows that artificial selection can cause evolution.​
  • Use an example to explain how selective breeding has lead to evolution in a species.
  • Explain the process of artificial selection using selective breeding.
5.1.U4  Evolution of homologous structures by adaptive radiation explains similarities in structure when there are differences in function.​
  • Contrast analogous structures and homologous structures.
  • Contrast convergent evolution and adaptive radiation.
  • State an example of analogous structures.
  • State an example of homologous structures.
  • Define vestigial structure.
  • State an example of a vestigial structure.
5.1.U5  Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution.​
  • Describe the process of gradual speciation.
5.1.U6  Continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations matches the concept of gradual divergence.
  • Explain how continuous variation across geographical ranges is evidence of evolutionary change.
  • State an example of recognizably different populations of the same species across a geographical range.
5.1.A1  Comparison of the pentadactyl limb of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles with different methods of locomotion.
  • Define pentadactyl limb.
  • List the bone structures present in the pentadactyl limb.
  • Identify pentadactyl limb structures in diagrams of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
  • Relate differences in pentadactyl limb structures to differences in limb function.
5.1.A2  Development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.
  • ​Explain how natural selection leads to changes in the melanistic variety of insects in polluted areas.
5.1.NOS  Looking for patterns, trends and discrepancies- there are common features in the bone structure of vertebrate limbs despite their varied use.
  • Propose a mechanism that explains the pattern found in vertebrate limb structure yet allows for the specialization of different limb functions. ​

In the News:
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." 
 John Muir,   1911