What are the evidences of evolution?
Evolution:
Pieces of evidence of evolution:
1. Fossils:
They are non-degraded remains of living organisms found within rocks. The age of the fossil is determined by the layer from which it was found. The fossils found deeper in the layers are older than those found higher up. They provide insight into the state of the earth at the time and they are referred to as paleontological evidence.
2. Comparative anatomy:
It describes how many animals share an origin and how natural selection or genetic drift led to the evolution of many diverse organisms. There were two categories of comparative anatomy found: homologous and analogous organs.
(a) Homologous organs:
They are organs that have a similar structure but perform different functions in different animals. As a result, it clearly demonstrates a shared ancestor. Many species arise from a single species as a result of divergent evolution. For example- the mouthparts of cockroaches, honeybees, and butterflies have similar structures but different functions.
(b) Analogous organs:
Organs that have a different structure but serve similar functions are known as analogous organs. This demonstrates how different animals evolved and adapted to their surroundings. This type of evolution occurs due to convergent evolution. For example- the wings of birds and insects have different structures but similar functions.
3. Embryonic development:
Embryos of various species have differences and similarities in structures up to a certain period during gestation. Human, pig, reptile, and bird embryos have similar embryonic development but as they grow, they transform into their respective species. This demonstrates common ancestry.