5.1 Evidence for evolution

IB Syllabus Statements

Understandings:

Evolution occurs when heritable characteristics of a species change.
The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
Selective breeding of domesticated animals shows that artificial selection can cause evolution.
Evolution of homologous structures by adaptive radiation explains similarities in structure when there are differences in function.
Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution.
Continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations matches the concept of gradual divergence.

Applications and skills:

Application: Development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.
Application: Comparison of the pentadactyl limb of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles with different methods of locomotion.

Discuss how patterns, trends and discrepancies are important when comparing the common features in the bone structure of vertebrate limbs.
Define evolution.
How does the fossil record provide evidence for evolution?
Outline the link between selective breeding of domesticated animals, artificial selection, and evolution.
Explain adaptive radiation using an example of homologous structures.
Explain how populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution.
Outline how continuous variation across the geographical range of related populations matches the concept of gradual divergence.
Discuss the development of melanistic insects in polluted areas.
Compare the pentadactyl limbs of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles with respect to their different methods of locomotion.
Discuss why evolutionary history can be considered a challenging area of science.