1. How does natural variation affect evolution?

  2. Explain the following statement: “Descent with modification explains the diversity of life we see today.”

  3. Describe the conditions necessary for natural selection to occur.

    Think Critically

  1. Apply Concepts How would Darwin explain the long legs of the water bird in Figure 16–6? How would Darwin's explanation differ from Lamarck's explanation?

  2. Compare and Contrast Distinguish between fitness and adaptation. How are the two concepts related?

  3. Infer How does the process of natural selection account for the diversity of organisms that Darwin observed on the Galápagos Islands?

  4. Infer Many species of birds build nests in which they lay eggs and raise the newly hatched birds. How might nest-building behavior be an adaptation that ensures reproductive fitness?

16.4 Evidence of Evolution

Understand Key Concepts

  1. Structures that have different mature forms but develop from the same embryonic tissue are called

    1. analogous.

    2. adaptations.

    3. homologous.

    4. fossils.

  2. Intermediate fossil forms are important evidence of evolution because they show

    1. how organisms changed over time.

    2. how animals behaved in their environments.

    3. how the embryos of organisms develop.

    4. molecular homologies.

  3. How does the geographic distribution of organisms support the theory of evolution?

  4. How do vestigial structures indicate that present-day organisms are different from their ancient ancestors?

  5. How do DNA and RNA provide evidence for common descent?

solve the CHAPTER MYSTERY

A honeycreeper.

SUCH VARIED HONEYCREEPERS

The 'i'iwi and other Hawaiian honeycreepers resemble Galápagos finches in a number of ways. They are species of small birds found nowhere else on Earth. They live on islands that are separated from one another by stretches of open sea and that are hundreds of miles from the nearest continent. They are also related to finches!

There are more than 20 known species of Hawaiian honeycreeper. Like the species of Galápagos finches, the honeycreeper species are closely related to one another. This is an indication that they are all descended, with modification, from a relatively recent common ancestor. Experts think the ancestor colonized the islands between 3 million and 4 million years ago. Many honeycreepers have specialized diets, evolutionary adaptations to life on the particular islands they call home. Today, habitat loss is endangering most of the honeycreepers. In fact, many species of honeycreeper are thought to have become extinct since humans settled on the islands.

  1. Infer Suppose a small group of birds, not unlike the modern honeycreepers, landed on one of Hawaii's islands millions of years ago and then reproduced. Do you think all the descendants would have stayed on that one island? Explain your answer.

  2. Infer Do you think that the climate and other environmental conditions are exactly the same everywhere on the Hawaiian Islands? How might environmental conditions have affected the evolution of honeycreeper species?

  3. Form a Hypothesis Explain how the different species of honeycreepers in Hawaii today might have evolved from one ancestral species.

  4. Connect to the Why are islands often home to species that exist nowhere else on Earth?

End ofPage 477

Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
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