Question

How do the shared characteristics of life provide evidence for evolution?

Answer 1

Shared characteristics of life, such as homologous structures, analogous structures, and molecular relationships, provide evidence for evolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Shared characteristics of life provide evidence for evolution through the concepts of homologous structures, analogous structures, and molecular relationships.

Homologous structures are shared traits among related organisms that originated from a common ancestor. For example, the forelimbs of vertebrates like humans, cats, and bats have the same basic bone structure, despite being adapted for different functions.

Analogous structures, on the other hand, are structures that serve the same function in unrelated organisms due to similar selection pressures. An example is the white phenotypes of Arctic animals, which evolved independently in species like the arctic fox and ptarmigan to blend with the snow and ice.

Additionally, comparing DNA sequences provides strong evidence of evolutionary relationships. When organisms share similar DNA sequences, it suggests a common ancestry and indicates their relatedness.

Answer 2

Evolution occurs due to change in the characteristics of life.

Step-by-step explanation:

The shared characteristics of life provide evidence for evolution. These shared characteristics are reproduction, homeostasis, heredity, growth, development and adaptation which occurs through evolution. The evolution mainly occurs due to changing environmental conditions. Some sea organisms such as whales evolve from land animals having four legs through the process of evolution. The environment of sea is responsible for the formation of gills and other body structure in order to survive in the water.