Description
Evidence for Evolution: Examining homologous, analogous, and vestigial anatomical structures. Students will learn about comparative anatomy and examine structures that are similar and different in both modern and ancient organisms. Students will compare similarities in pictures of embryos and will learn how these structures support the theory of evolution.
This unit on Evolution includes:
- Informative slide show
- Strategic notetaking guide
- Two reading passages
- Follow-up pages
- A quiz
- Answer keys
This unit is designed to address the following standards:
NGSS MS-LS4-2.Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for
the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on explanations of the evolutionary relationships among organisms in terms of similarity or differences of the gross appearance of anatomical structures.]
NGSS MS-LS4-3. Analyze displays of data to identify linear and nonlinear relationships.
to compare patterns of similarities in the embryological development across multiple species to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on inferring general patterns of relatedness among embryos of different organisms by comparing the macroscopic appearance of diagrams or pictures.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of comparisons is limited to gross appearance of anatomical structures in embryological development.]
Utah SEEd standard 7.5.3
Construct explanations that describe the patterns of body structure similarities and differences between modern organisms, and between ancient and modern organisms, to infer possible evolutionary relationships. (LS4.A)
Utah SEEd Standard 7.5.4
Analyze data to compare patterns in the embryological development across multiple species to identify similarities and differences not evident in the fully formed anatomy. (LS4.A)
Please note: My resources, including the slide show, are not editable for copyright reasons. This resource is in pdf and ppt format.
If you are looking for an online (Google) unit on Comparative Anatomy, see this unit Comparative Anatomy.
You may also like this companion piece, Natural Selection.