How do studies of body structure and embryos support evolution?

Answer 1

It does. It is NOT true that "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny." But there are numerous facets of embryological development that make no sense except in the light of common ancestry.

What we see in developing embryos is a similar pattern of development; one thing developed first, then another thing, then another couple of things, then a bunch of other bits, all in roughly the same order even when compared between different species, we also see features appear that do not exist in the adult form but the embryos have, like limb buds in Dolphins and human tail buds.

While it does not prove evolution outright (and the historical method of using it as proof were shown by scientists to be wrong), evolution does explain this well enough that it is not evidence against: These species share a common ancestor, so their developmental processes occur in a similar way, regardless of what other changes have taken place since their divergence.

Answer 2

Embryology has become a valuable tool to study common and convergent developmental connections between groups of organisms. Developmental Biology, particularly during the embryonic phase, reveals a tremendous amount of information about structural similarities that relate to evolutionary commonalities and differences.

Answer 3

Embryological evidence is one of the strongest evidence for evolution. According to the embryological study it is found that some of the mammals like cow, human etc. possess same kinds of embryo at first stage of development. their embryological development is quiet similar. Thus we can know that the similar embryological development having animals or organisms may have developed from same ancestors.

Answer 4

Yes embryology is the study of embryo's and fetus' during development. In humans it is clear that embryos begin to develop what would have formed into gills that our ancestors had. Also embryos develop a post anal tail which general is gone by birth however sometimes babies are born with it. This shows that our ancestors used to have tails but we have evolved to no longer have them

Answer 5

"Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny".

When you study the embryos of the five different vertebrate groups (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals), similarities can be drawn.

In the initial stages of development, the embryos of each group are virtually indistinguishable, and each possess a post-anal tail and paired pharyngeal pouches. These will go on to fulfill different functions for each group (the pouches will become gills for fish, but the inner ear for mammals).

As development continues, the embryos become visually distinguishable, but we are able to see which species are more closely related than others. In the intermediate stages of gestation, pigs and humans - both mammals - still look fairly similar, whereas it is easy to tell a bird apart.

The longer the embryos resemble each other, the more closely related they are. Their remarkable comparability during embryonic development is the evidence for evolution here.

Answer 6

The similarities that are present in the early stages disappear as development proceeds.

Answer 7

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