How did the discovery of DNA prove that Darwin’s theory of evolution was correct? (Note: James Watson & Francis Crick, with the aid of Rosalind Franklind, discovered the structure of DNA in 1953. Charles Darwin died in 1882).
DNA shows that every type of species comes from a common ancestor. The discovery of DNA appears to us that offspring share sequences of DNA ascribe to both of its parents. It shows the specifics of the method Darwin named, Natural Selection. Scientists are now able to track how mutations happen. This helps us understand how species adjusted to become completely different organisms.
How does it change the way we view evolution today?
Instead of having theories with no concrete evidence, scientists have revealed a huge piece of the puzzle which is evolution. DNA has shown us that animals are very similar. Chimpanzees and humans have DNA that is 99% identical. The biggest thing in why we are so different is that some switches activate some genes, and some deactivate others. A transformation within the human jaw muscle provided by switches, allowing the skull to keep expanding into adulthood, making more space for the brain. Chimpanzees have less room for the brain, since they have a very big jaw muscles that fill in the space, preventing the brain for developing larger.
How does it change the way we view and study evolution in the future?
Darwin came up with a hypothesis that humans descended from monkeys, and he was made fun of at the time for coming up with such a thing. After the discovery of DNA, scientists found that there is only a 1% difference in DNA from a human and a chimpanzee. The difference is in some of the switches in genes. This shows how a slight change in DNA can cause such a massive impact. Tikaalik shows transitions from fish into amphibians. This shows us that much varied vertebrates did once exist, but this animal evolved on land instead of water. Another big discovery was of the “switches” that turn specific genes on and off. The idea of switches is proven through embryology, and the study of organisms in their early stages that change over time.
sources:
Documentary: What Darwin Never Knew.
https://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html