Biochemistry is the study of the basic chemistry and processes that occur in

cells. The biochemistry of all living things on Earth is incredibly similar, showing
that all of Earths organisms share a common ancestry.

Comparative anatomy is the comparison of the structures of different living

things. This figure compares the skeletons of humans, cats, whales, and bats,
illustrating how similar they are even though these animals live unique lifestyles
in very different environments. The best explanation for similarities like the ones
among these skeletons is that the various species on Earth evolved from
common ancestors.

Credit: Illustration by Kathryn Born, M.A

Comparative anatomy of the bones in the front limbs of humans, cats, whales,
and bats.

Biogeography, the study of living things around the globe, helps solidify
Darwins theory of biological evolution. Basically, if evolution is real, youd expect
groups of organisms that are related to one another to be clustered near one
another because related organisms come from the same common ancestor.
On the other hand, if evolution isnt real, theres no reason for related groups of
organisms to be found near one another. When biogeographers compare the
distribution of organisms living today or those that lived in the past (from fossils),

they find that species are distributed around Earth in a pattern that reflects their
genetic relationships to one another.

Comparative embryology compares the embryos of different organisms. The

embryos of many animals, from fish to humans, show similarities that suggest a
common ancestor.

Molecular biology focuses on the structure and function of the molecules

that make up cells. Molecular biologists have compared gene sequences among
species, revealing similarities among even very different organisms.

Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life through fossil evidence. Thefossil

record (all the fossils ever found and the information gained from them) shows
detailed evidence of the changes in living things through time.

Modern examples of biological evolution can be measured by studying the

results of scientific experiments that measure evolutionary changes in the
populations of organisms that are alive today. In fact, you need only look in the
newspaper or hop online to see evidence of evolution in action in the form of the
increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Radioisotope dating estimates the age of fossils and other rocks by

examining the ratio of isotopes in rocks. Isotopes are different forms of the atoms
that make up matter on Earth. Some isotopes, called radioactive
isotopes, discard particles over time and change into other elements.
Scientists know the rate at which this radioactive decay occurs, so they can take
rocks and analyze the elements within them. Radioisotope dating indicates that
the Earth is 4.5 billion years old, which is plenty old enough to allow for the many
changes in Earths species due to biological evolution.

1. Create a tabe to show names of the flightless birds and which continent they are found on
2. What chemical in the body is used to confirm that all of these birds are actually related?

3. What was the name of the supercontinent that their ancestor was found on?
4. Which bird is most closely related to the emu?
5. Which bird is the second cousin of the emu?
6. Which birds are most distantly related to the emu?
7. The similarity in DNA matches important events. What events were these?