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The Evidence for Evolution

The discovery of genes as a mechanism (way) to inherit characteristics and create variance supported the theory of evolution. In addition to this, the two main sources of evidence are:

Fossils

Fossils

  • Fossils show the gradual changes in organisms over vast periods of time.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria

  • Natural selection neatly explains this phenomenon:
  • Bacteria reproduce rapidly.
  • Mutations occur during reproduction.
  • If a mutated bacterium is resistant to antibiotics, it will survive exposure to antibiotics and go on to reproduce.
  • This bacterium will represent the original ancestor of a new resistant strain.
Jump to other topics
1

The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

2

Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

3

Organism Functions

3.1

Respiration

3.2

Gas Exchange

3.3

Transport

3.4

Excretion

3.5

Coordination & Response

4

Reproduction & Inheritance

5

Ecology

6

Biological Resources

Practice questions on Evolution

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