Evaluate the Evidence for evolution based on the Fossil Record: 

Fossils provide a record of organisms that lived a long time ago. They also provide evidence that animals and plants can change over long periods of time. The fossil record is often incomplete.

Fossil records

Fossil remains have been found in rocks of all ages. Fossils of the simplest organisms are found in the oldest rocks, and fossils of more complex organisms in the newest rocks. This supports the theory of evolution, which states that simple life forms gradually evolved into more complex ones.

Fossils contained in layers of sediment

Explain why there are gaps in the fossil record:

• because fossils do not always form
• because soft tissue decays
• because many fossils are yet to be found

Explain how the anatomy of the pentadactyl limb provides scientists with evidence for evolution :

Describe growth in terms of increase in size, length and mass

Interpret growth data in terms of percentile charts

Human growth is monitored using percentile charts. This allows medical professionals to monitor a child's growth compared to a certain percentage of the population. The age of the child is taken into consideration as well as the spread of differences in the population. Height, weight, BMI and head circumference are all measured in this way.

Explain how cell division, elongation and differentiation contribute…