Explain how ONE advance in technology has provided support for the theory of evolution. - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 27 - 2013 - Paper 1

The theory of evolution posits that variation within populations leads to natural selection, allowing the fittest individuals to survive and reproduce. One significant technological advance that supports this theory is DNA sequencing.

DNA sequencing allows scientists to determine the precise order of nucleotides in the DNA of different species. By analyzing these sequences, researchers can compare the genetic information of closely related species. This technology has revealed that, although variations occur, closely related species share a high degree of similarity in their DNA sequences. Over time, as these species adapt to their unique environments, small changes in their DNA sequences accumulate.

For instance, when scientists sequence the genomes of two species that diverged from a common ancestor, they often find that these genomes are relatively similar, supporting the notion that they share a recent common ancestor. This genetic evidence provides critical support for the theory of evolution, confirming that species evolve from ancestral forms through gradual changes over time.