Question

What is comparative embryology, and what does this tell us about evolution?

MCQ Options:
a. Comparative embryology is the study of different types of fossils. It tells us about the age of fossils.
b. Comparative embryology is the study of the similarities and differences in the embryos of different species. It tells us about common ancestry and evolutionary relationships.
c. Comparative embryology is the study of the geographic distribution of organisms. It tells us about their migration patterns.
d. Comparative embryology is the study of the genetics of organisms. It tells us about their evolutionary potential.

Answer 1

Comparative embryology is the study of similarities and differences in embryos, which provide evidence for common ancestry. Features shared by embryos but lost in adulthood can reveal evolutionary relationships. For example, the presence of gill slits and tails in vertebrate embryos supports the idea of a shared evolutionary history.

Step-by-step explanation:

Comparative embryology is the study of the similarities and differences in the embryos of different species. Similarities in embryos are evidence of common ancestry. For example, all vertebrate embryos have gill slits and tails at some point in their development. These features may disappear in the adults of terrestrial groups but are maintained in adult forms of aquatic groups such as fish and some amphibians. Great ape embryos, including humans, have a tail structure during their development that is lost by the time of birth. This provides evidence for our common ancestry with other primates.