Molecular biology and genetics are two fields of study that provide evidence for the theory of evolution by investigating the genetic makeup of organisms and how it changes over time.
Molecular biology is the study of the molecular basis of biological activity. This includes the study of DNA, RNA, and proteins, and how they interact to carry out the functions of living cells. By comparing the DNA and protein sequences of different organisms, scientists can identify similarities and differences that provide evidence for evolutionary relationships. For example, the similarities in DNA sequences between humans and chimpanzees suggest a relatively recent common ancestor.
Genetics is the study of how traits are inherited from parents to offspring. Genetic information is stored in DNA, which is passed down from parents to offspring through reproduction. By studying the inheritance of traits and how they are expressed in different organisms, scientists can identify similarities and differences that provide evidence for evolutionary relationships. For example, the presence of vestigial structures such as the appendix in humans suggests that we share a common ancestor with other mammals that used this structure for digestion.
Molecular biology and genetics provide complementary evidence for the theory of evolution. By studying the genetic makeup of organisms, scientists can identify similarities and differences that suggest evolutionary relationships and the shared ancestry of different groups of organisms. This evidence supports the idea that all life on Earth is interconnected and has evolved over time.