SESSION 3

Engage

Explore

Explain

Part A: 

Fossil Evidence

Part B: 

Biogeographical Evidence

Part C: 

Anatomical Evidence

Elaborate

Evaluate

Resources

Facilitator Notes

SESSION 3: What Is the Evidence for Evolution?

Explain Part C: Anatomical Evidence

While organisms are quite diverse, we still share many similarities. Think about the anatomical features that are similar in all organisms.

Watch the video segments and investigate the Web sites listed below to gather information on anatomical evidence.

		•	To see how Darwin presented evidence of common anatomical traits, read Chapter 13 of On the Origin of Species at the Online Literature Library Web site.
		•	To learn about homologies and tetrapod evolution, view Evolution Show Two video segment "Fish with Fingers," and see Tetrapod Limbs. Fish with Fingers View in: QuickTime | RealPlayer
		•	For more information on homologies, look at the University of British Columbia Web site.
		•	To compare anatomical similarities in embryos, watch the Evolution Library video segment "Common Pasts, Different Paths" and read "Comparative Embryology: The Vertebrate Body" (pdf). Common Pasts, Different Paths View in: QuickTime | Real Player

Now, answer these questions.

	•	What are some key examples that illustrate how anatomical evidence supports the theory of evolution?
	•	What questions remain unanswered using just anatomical evidence?

Facilitator Note 3

Next: Elaborate Part A: Molecular Evidence