How does comparing the embryos of different organisms support the theory of evolution?
The embryos of all organisms are identical.
The stages of development of the embryos of different organisms are extremely similar, thereby suggesting common ancestors.
The embryos of any group of living things resemble the other embryos in that group.
The second?
I agree.
no
The stages of development of the embryos of different organisms are extremely similar, thereby suggesting common ancestors. This supports the theory of evolution because it indicates that different organisms share a common ancestry and have undergone similar developmental processes over time. By examining the similarities in embryo development across different species, scientists can infer evolutionary relationships and trace the evolutionary history of different organisms. This evidence aligns with the principle of common descent, which states that all organisms share a common ancestral population and have diverged gradually over time.
The second statement, "The stages of development of the embryos of different organisms are extremely similar, thereby suggesting common ancestors," is the one that supports the theory of evolution.
To explain why, we first need to understand what the theory of evolution proposes. Evolution posits that all living organisms share a common ancestry over the course of millions of years. According to this theory, species gradually change and diversify over time.
Embryology, the study of embryo development, provides valuable evidence for evolution. The development of embryos often shows remarkable similarities across various species, especially during early stages. For example, the embryos of different vertebrates, such as fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals, look almost identical at certain points in their development.
These similarities in embryonic development suggest that organisms with shared ancestry undergo similar developmental processes. Evolutionarily related organisms possess a common set of genes and developmental mechanisms that govern the early stages of embryo development. As species diversify and evolve, their embryos still retain these shared characteristics, even if they eventually develop into distinct adult forms.
This evidence supports the idea of a common ancestor, where different species inherit the same early developmental patterns from their common evolutionary roots. The more similar the embryos are, the more closely related the species are considered to be on an evolutionary tree.
By comparing the embryos of different organisms, scientists can compare and contrast their developmental stages and observe these shared characteristics or "developmental homologies." These homologies provide strong evidence for the theory of evolution, helping scientists understand the relationships between species and their evolutionary history.