Quiz: Prove It! Test Your Knowledge of the Evidence for Evolution in 2.06

Charles Darwin is credited with proposing the theory of natural selection in his work "On the Origin of Species." He outlined how the mechanism of natural selection leads to the adaptation and evolution of species.

Embryology is the study of the developmental stages and patterns in embryos of different species. Similarities in embryonic development can reveal evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Evolution is the process by which species change over generations through the accumulation of genetic variations. It leads to the formation of new species and the diversity of life.

The fossil record documents changes in species over time, providing evidence of how organisms have evolved and diversified from their common ancestors.

Homologous structures are anatomical features with a common evolutionary origin but may serve different functions in different species. Similar bone structures in the limbs of mammals suggest a shared ancestor.

Vestigial structures are anatomical features in modern organisms that have lost their original function through evolution. They are remnants of structures that were functional in ancestral species.

Fossils are the preserved remains of ancient organisms and their traces. They provide direct evidence of the existence of different species in the past and how they have changed over time.

Gregor Mendel's work on inheritance laid the foundation for modern genetics. His insights into how traits are inherited contributed to the understanding of how variation and inheritance drive evolution.

DNA similarity across different species reflects their genetic relatedness and supports the idea of a common ancestor. Similar DNA sequences indicate evolutionary relationships.

Natural selection is based on the principle that organisms with advantageous traits for their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to their offspring.