Here are some questions to assess your learning from the "Study Guide" section of this unit.
What is evolution?
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Evolution is the process of small change over long periods of time. In terms of biology, evolution is the change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, as a result of natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, and resulting in the development of new species.
What is embryology?
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Embryology is the study of the development of organisms from their early stages through adulthood. As an organism grows, the differences that distinguishes it from other adult organisms becomes more and more apparent as the embryo develops. The study of this development can yield insights into the process of evolution.
How do genetics and embryology work together to help better understand evolution?
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The ability to study organisms at both the gene level and the developmental level has provided information about the similarities and differences among organisms. This knowledge contributes to the understanding of evolution originally based on gross phenotypic observations.
How does embryology support evolution?
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Embryology helps support evolution because it shows that the more closely related two organisms are, the more closely their embryonic development is.
