This document outlines a lesson plan on evidence for the theory of evolution. It includes discussions of various topics that provide support, such as fossil evidence, comparative anatomy and embryology, biogeography, and molecular biology. Students explore these topics through vocabulary exercises, lab stations, and analysis questions. The lesson aims to explain how this scientific evidence from diverse areas of biology all points to common descent and evolution of modern organisms over time.

1. TOPIC 7-
EVIDENCE FOR THE THEORY
OF EVOLUTION
DAY 1

2. BELL RINGER: VOCABULARY CARDS (5 MIN)
Vocabulary:
1. evolution- change over time; the process by which modern
organisms have descended from ancient organisms.
2. fossil- preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.
3. homologous structures- structures that are similar in
different species of common ancestry.
4. molecular biology- A branch of biology that studies the
structure and function of the macromolecules essential to
life.
5. Comparative biology- A branch of biology that studies
comparisons between ancestral organisms.
6. Vestigial structure- structure that is inherited from
ancestors but has lost much or all of its original function
VOCABULARY QUIZ FOR 5 MINUTES AT BEGINNING OF
NEXT CLASS!

3. WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
 SC.912.L.15.1 Explain the
scientific theory of
evolution is supported by
the fossil
record, comparative
anatomy, comparative
embryology, biogeograph
y, molecular biology, and
observed evolutionary
change.
 AA (Also addresses:
SC.912.N.1.3, SC.912.N.1.6
, SC.912.N.3.1, SC.912.N.3.
4)
 Explain how evidences
such as
fossils, biochemical
similarities, embryonic
development, homolog
ous and vestigial
structures, and
similarities and
differences between
organisms in different
parts of the world are
used to substantiate
biological changes
through time.
Benchmark: LEARNING Objective:

4. WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION?
 What are some evidences that support the theory of
evolution?

5. YOUR LAB HAND OUT—
YOU CAN WRITE ON THIS!

6. [CLOSE READ]
BACKGROUND:
 Evolution is not just a historical process; it is
occurring at this moment. Populations constantly
adapt in response to changes in their environment
and thereby accumulate changes in the genes that
are available to the species through its gene pool.
In today's lab you will explore some of the
evidence for evolution and will examine a few of
the mechanisms through which evolution acts. In
this laboratory you will review some of the classical
examples used as evidence for evolution.

7. STATION 1

8. STATION 2

9. [STATIONS 4-8]
Station 4: Comparative Anatomy (Analogous
Structures)
Station 5: Comparative Anatomy (Vestigial
Structures)
Station 6: Biogeography
Station 7: Observable Changes
Station 8: Molecular Biology

10. EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION
Day 2

11. BELL RINGER (5 MINUTE QUIZ)
 Vocabulary Quiz and EOC Question
 FINISH AND FLIP OVER!
WRITE THESE DOWN! (5 minutes)
New Vocabulary Words For Next Class:
1. Natural Selection— process by which organisms are most
suited for their environment survive and reproduce most
successfully; also called the survival of the fittest.
2. Anatomy—the structure of living things.
3. Artificial selection—selective breeding of plants and
animals to promote the occurrence of desirable traits in
offspring.
4. Fitness—how well an organism can survive and reproduce.
5. Biogeography– the study of past and present organisms.

12. VOCABULARY:
1. evolution- change over time; the process by which
modern organisms have descended from ancient
organisms.
2. fossil- preserved remains or traces of ancient
organisms.
3. homologous structures- structures that are similar in
different species of common ancestry.
4. molecular biology- A branch of biology that studies the
structure and function of the macromolecules essential
to life.
5. Comparative biology- A branch of biology that studies
comparisons between ancestral organisms.
6. Vestigial structure- structure that is inherited from
ancestors but has lost much or all of its original function

13. EOC QUESTION:
 The scientific theory of evolution is supported by different types
of evidence. The diagrams below show the skeletons of two
different animal species. How does comparing the skeletons of
these animals provide support for the scientific theory of
evolution?
A. It provides information about the organisms' habitats.
B. It shows possible common ancestry between organisms.
C. It provides information to determine the organisms' ages.
D. It shows possible chromosomal similarities between organisms.
Answer :
 B. It shows possible common ancestry between organisms.
 Animals that evolved from a common ancestor will often have
similar structures and organs.

14. WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?
 SC.912.L.15.1 Explain the
scientific theory of
evolution is supported by
the fossil
record, comparative
anatomy, comparative
embryology, biogeography,
molecular biology, and
observed evolutionary
change.
 AA (Also addresses:
SC.912.N.1.3, SC.912.N.1.6,
SC.912.N.3.1, SC.912.N.3.4)
 Explain how evidences
such as
fossils, biochemical
similarities, embryonic
development, homologou
s and vestigial
structures, and
similarities and
differences between
organisms in different
parts of the world are
used to substantiate
biological changes
through time.
Benchmark: LEARNING Objective:

15. FINISH LAB STATIONS!
(8 MINUTES EACH SECTION—TOTAL 40 MINUTES)

16. WE DO: ANALYSIS (1-5):
1. Given the amount of research and evidence available
on evolution, why is it classified as a theory?
2. Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of
Species in 1859. Of the different types of evidence that
you have examined, which do you think he relied upon
the most, and why?
3. How can Darwin legitimately argue about the
imperfection of the fossil record and then go on to
show how the fossil record can be used to support
evolution?
4. How are mass extinctions good evidence in favor of
evolution?
5. Why are transitional species, such as the ancestors
of modern whales or horses, crucial evidence for
evolution?

17. ANALYSIS (6-10):
6. Fly embryos and frog embryos differ from each other
more than frog embryos and ape embryos do. What
does this imply about how these groups may be
related?
7. What are the differences between "homologous"
organs and "analogous" organs? Find some examples
of your own.
8. The bones of a human arm are very similar to the
bones in a bird’s wing and a dolphin’s flipper. What
does this similarity in structure reveal about the
ancestry of these animals?
9. Even if a "rudimentary organ" actually has a function
about which we observers are unaware (e.g., if vestigial
pelvic bones of a whale may function to support
gonads), why would it still provide excellent evidence
in support of evolution by descent?
10. Explain how sequences of amino acids in proteins
can be used to reveal relationships among organisms.

18. YOU DO: ANSWER CONCLUSION
QUESTIONS ON YOUR OWN!
CONCLUSIONS:
Explain how each of the following provides
evidence for evolution:
1. Fossil evidence
2. Comparative embryology
3. Comparative anatomy
 homologous structures
 analogous structures
 vestigial structures
4. Biogeography
5. Observable changes
6. Molecular biology