SCIENCE WORKBOOK
GRADE LEVEL QUARTER/DOMAIN WEEK LC CODE
3 /LIVING THINGS AND
rd
10 THEIR ENVIRONMENT 5 S10LT-IIIf-39
(BIOLOGY)
Name:______________________________ Grade and Section:_______________ Score: _____________
TOPIC: EVOLUTION
LEARNING COMPETENCY: The learners should be able to explain how fossil records, comparative anatomy, and
genetic information provide evidence for evolution
Evolution is the change in the characteristics of species over several generations and it relies on the process
of natural selection. As such, evolution entails changes in the inherited traits of a population from generation to
generation. These traits are the expression of genes that are copied and passed on to offspring during reproduction.
Evolution occurs when these heritable differences become more common or rare in a population, either
non-randomly through natural selection or randomly through genetic drift. Natural selection is a process that causes
heritable traits that are helpful for survival and reproduction to become more common, and harmful traits to
become rarer. This occurs because organisms with advantageous traits pass on more copies of these heritable traits
to the next generation.
SOURCES OF EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION
Organisms inhabiting the earth have changed overtime, their structures, traits, and abilities allowed them to
adapt and survive in their environment. Data from the fossil records, anatomy and morphology, embryonic
development and biochemistry could be analyzed to demonstrate if evolution of life on earth has taken place.
Evidence from Fossil Records
Have you ever seen fossils of any organism? Fossils are examples of evidences that paleontologists use in
studying evolution. They are traces of organisms that lived in the past and were preserved by natural process or
catastrophic events. They can be remains of organisms which include bones, shells, teeth and also feces embedded
in rocks, peat, resin, and ice. Paleontologist is a person who studies fossils Most fossils were commonly found in
sedimentary rocks. They were from the hard parts of the organism like woody stem, bones, or teeth. Another type
of fossil is an imprint or impression. Imprints are shallow external molds left by animal or plant tissues with little or
no organic materials present. Compression is the other side with more organic material.
PART 1. Determining the age of fossils: Do you know how a paleontologist usually determines the age of a fossil?
Paleontologists make initial estimates of the age through the position in the sedimentary rocks. Fossils found in the
bottom layer are much older than those found in upper layer of rocks.
ACTIVITY 1: Where Do I Belong?
Objective: Draw and place the fossil of organisms in its proper Era and Period.
Material: pen and paper
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I. Directions: Try to place or draw the fossils of the following organisms in the Era and period where they belong.
II. Directions: Answer the following questions:
1. Analyze the table above. Which is assumed to be the oldest organism? Why do you think so? What is the probable
age of the fossil?
2. In what era can you possibly find the most recent fossil? Why do you say so?
3. Do you think there are organisms that lived during the Cambrian Period? Explain your answer.
4. When do you think did the present day humans first appeared on earth?
5. Describe how organisms are arranged in the table.
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PART 2: Hint of Evolution from Comparative Anatomy
Another hint of evolutionary concept is from the comparative anatomy. Structures from different species
which have similar internal framework, position, and embryonic development are considered to be homologous.
Homologous structures may perform different functions in the species living in the different environment, or it may
have the same origin but different functions.
Here are some example of homologous structures: forelimbs of dog, bird, lizard, and whale, which are
structurally the same, but functionally different. Structures of unrelated species may evolve to look alike, because
the structure is adapted to similar function. These are called analogous structures. Analogous structures have similar
functions but different origin.
Examples are wings of birds, bats, and insects that have the same function but different in origin.
Activity 2 AHA! Analogous! Homologous!
Objectives:
• Distinguish homologous structure from analogous structure.
• Explain the relevance of comparative anatomy as an evidence of evolution.
Materials: • paper • pen
Directions: Write in the space provided H if the structures below are homologous and A if they are analogous.
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6. Can you say that human, whale and bat might belong to a common ancestral group? Explain why.
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