Name_________________________________________
Date_________________________ Period_________
EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION EXAM
SCORE: _____/4
AST 6.7 - Biologic Systems: Communicate scientific information that common ancestry
and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.
Scientists want to see how the six organisms listed below are related. The anatomies of
each of the organisms were studied and noted in the chart below.
1.
2.
3.
Complete the chart by comparing the structures found in each organism and
counting the number of traits that each organism has.
When you have finished the chart, make a cladogram that shows the relationship
of the organisms with each other by placing the organism’s name in the solid
boxes according to the total number of traits.
Place the characteristics that set them apart (traits) in the dashed boxes.
Hair
Lancet
Tuna
Turtle
Leopard
Lamprey
Salamander
X
Amniotic
egg
X
X
Tetrapod
Jaws
Backbone
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Number
of Traits
Analysis:
1.
Which species is most closely related to the Leopard?
2.
Which of the traits came into existence before the amniotic egg?
3.
What do cladograms tell us?
4.
In order to score a “4” for this learning target, create your own cladogram by
choosing four different species and at least three different traits. Draw it in the
space below.
5.
Listed below are the gene sequences for a protein found in the mitochondria of
all organisms. Compare each of the organism’s DNA to the leopard and circle any
differences. Tally the differences and write the number next to the organism’s
name.
Leopard:
T T G C C T T C G T A G G A A T T G C T
_____Tuna: T T C G C A A C G T A G G A A T T G C T A C
_____Turtle:
T T G C G T T C G T A G G A A T T G C T
_____Lamprey:
A T G G G A A C G T A T G A T T T G C T
_____Salamander: A T G C C T T G G T A G G A A T T G C T
_____Lancet:
A T G G C A A C G T A G G A T T A G C T
A C
A
A
A
A
C
G
C
G
6.
Write the number of differences in the DNA in the circles on the cladogram for
each organism.
7.
If you were to use only the DNA evidence to create the cladogram, would it look
the same as the one you made using physical traits? Why or why not?
2
8.
Evolutionary evidence is found in many different disciplines of science. We
studied five diferent lines of evidence to support the theory that organisms have
evolved from a common ancestor. Fill in the following table with the evidence. I
have modeled one of them for you. Note: if you want to earn an “4” on this
learning target, you will need to complete all lines of evidence.
Line of Evidence
Fossils
How this Evidence
Supports Evolution
Fossils show that life is old and
has changed over time.
Example
Horse fossils show the evolution of
a small dog-like horse to the
modern-day horse and how their
teeth have changed in order to
adapt to the changing environment.
3