Name: __________________________________
Convergent & Divergent Evolution
1.
In your own words, define the words converge, and diverge.
Converge: __________________________________________________________
Diverge: ___________________________________________________________
2.
Next, examine the image of the humming bird, and humming bird moth and answer the following questions:
A. Describe, in a list, all of the SIMILARITIES that you see between the bird and moth.
B. Are birds and insects (like this moth) closely related groups of organisms? Explain.
3.
Next, examine the image of the salmon, and dolphin on your table, and answer the following questions:
A. Describe all of the SIMILARITIES that you see between the salmon and dolphin.
B. Are dolphins and fish closely related groups of organisms? Explain.
4. CONVERGENT EVOLUTION explains the patterns that you saw with the organisms on the previous page. Write
a definition for convergent evolution below.
5. Why do certain species of organisms look/behave similar to other organisms, despite the fact that the two species
are not closely related at all?
6. DIVERGENT EVOLUTION works in the opposite way that convergent evolution works. In other words,
divergent evolution occurs when species that are closely related to one another have differences in appearance or behavior.
If you look at the graphic of mammals you can see that mammals vary greatly in size, shape, color, and behavior. Yet,
despite looking very different, all mammals are a relatively closely related category of animals. The fossil record suggests
that the first mammal appeared only recently (220 million years ago).
What causes closely related species to look so different (hint: what factors influence the appearance of organisms)?
Provide at least two more examples of divergent evolution (research examples only after you've tried to come up with
some with your lab group first.
Materials: Convergent Evolution
Humming Bird
Humming Bird Moth
Materials (continued): Convergent Evolution
Salmon
Dolphin
Materials (continued):
Divergent Evolution
Some mammals