This document provides information about evidence for evolution through fossils, vestigial structures, similar skeletal structures, similar DNA, and similar embryonic structures. It defines key terms like fossils, ancestors, and vestigial structures. Examples of each type of evidence are described, such as whale leg bones as vestigial structures. Students are assigned a creative writing task or collage to explain the five types of evidence for evolution.

1. Do Now:
1.Who is the scientist who provided
evidence for evolution?

2. Evolution
Objective:
•You will be able to state the types of evidence
supporting evolution.

3. EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fossils in the fossil record
Vestigial Structures
Similar skeletal structures (bones)
Similar DNA
Similar embryonic structures (before
born)

4. Word
1. Fossils
Definition
Solidified
remains or
imprints of
once-living
organisms
Picture

11. How does a fossil form?
Organism
dies
Covered by
sediment
Minerals still
replacing remains,
layers disturbed
Minerals replace
remains
Fossil is
exposed

12. Plant
fossils
Ancient mosquito
preserved in
amber
Fossilized
skin

15. Which fossil is the oldest and
why?
C
B
A

16. Evidence?
What is it?
Early form of an
2.
organism from which
Ancestor
later forms are
descended from
Picture

19. Evidence?
3.
Extinct
What is it?
When a group of
organisms die
out and none are
left!
Picture

20. Word
4.
Vestigial
Structures
Definition
A body
structure that is
no longer used
and is used as
evidence for
evolution
Picture

21. Evidence?
Vestigial
Structures
What is it?
Show that they evolved
from needing them.
Examples: leg bones in
whales and the human tail
bone
Picture

31. Evidence?
5. Similar
skeletal
structures
What is it?
Many bones in arms,
legs, flippers, and
wings are very similar.
Picture

35. Evidence?
What is it?
All organisms
4. Similar have DNA and
DNA
organisms that
look similar have
very similar DNA.
Picture

36. Similarities in DNA
Example: elephant shrew (rodent) and
elephant – DNA proved that the shrew is
closer related to elephant than to mice

39. Evidence?
7. Similar
Embryonic
Structures
What is it?
Before
organisms are
born, many look
very similar.
Picture

41. Similarities in Early Development
1. Adults of different species look very
different

42. 2. Similarities in the shapes and structures
when an embryo is in early development

43. Dolphin
embryo

46. Is evolution happening now?
Yes, scientists have observed many
examples of species changing today:
•
•
•
•
People are getting larger
Peppered moths have changed color
Bacteria are becoming resistant to drugs
Insect pests become immune to poisons

47. Assignment
• Make up a creative newspaper article that
includes all 5 types of evidence for evolution.
Include at least one picture.
• Sample evolution article ideas (pick one if you
can’t come up with your own idea!):
– An evolution professor comes to Liberty to talk about
the evidence for evolution (what will he talk about?)
– A new fossil is found and then used as evidence for
evolution (what other types of evidence is there?)
– A new movie has come out and it’s about evolution
(what types of evidence does it talk about?)

48. Assignment
• Create a collage explaining evolution and the 5
different types of evidence for it.
• EXAMPLE:
fossils
Similar Embryo Development
Similar
bones
Similar DNA
Vestigial Structures

49. Fold your paper into 6 strips.
• Label the first box “Evidence for Evolution”
• List each of the 5 types of evidence in the
other boxes.
• Draw a picture for each type of evidence.