The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution based on natural selection is the unifying force of modern biology. It brings together disciplines such as genetics, palaeontology and microbiology.
However the study of evolution is often controversial, and the misinformation that results can confuse people regarding its fundamentals. This site clarifies the most fundamental concepts.
What is Evolution?
Modern evolutionary theory is based on the gradual and cumulative changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result of natural selection, a process that increases the number of organisms who have traits that are beneficial and help them survive and reproduce in a particular environment. The organisms that have these traits produce more offspring as a result of the positive characteristics. This could result in a genetic mutation which could eventually result in new species.
The term "evolution", is often associated with "survival-of-the most fittest" which implies that individuals who are more adaptable to specific environmental conditions will have a distinct advantage over those less well adapted. This is only one of the many ways in which evolution can occur.
Another way to use the word evolution is to suggest that species will progress from one state to the next. This kind of view can be referred to as anagenetic or cladogenesis. This theory is not supported by the scientific definition of evolution. The evolutionary theory that scientists have developed changes focuses on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result mutations that result from natural selection and genetic variation.
Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who supported this idea. Others, notably Alfred Russel Wallace, who created the macroevolution theory and believed that this was the only way the higher forms of life could be derived from lower ones.
A theory must stand up to rigorous tests and evidence to be considered a theory. The evidence for evolution has stood the test of time and has been backed by numerous studies in many scientific disciplines, from biology to geology, chemistry to astronomy. In fact evolution is regarded as one of the fundamental tenets of science today and is supported by the vast majority of scientists around the world. Many people are confused about the nature of the evolution theory and how it connects to religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution?
Evolution is the scientific explanation for how living things change over time. It is based on a range of well-established and observable facts: that more offspring are often created than are likely to survive and that individuals differ from one another in their physical characteristics (phenotype) and that various traits have different rates of survival and reproduction and can be passed down to the next generation. These observations are supported by the increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology, functional morphology, climatology and geology.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently conceived the theory of evolution by selection in the mid-19th century as a reason why organisms are adapted their physical and biologic environments. It is today the most supported and most widely tested theory in all of science. Its predictions have been proved out by the fact that, for example, more complex organisms tend to have fewer genetic mutations than simpler ones. The more successful an organism gets in terms of surviving and reproducing the more likely it is to transfer its genes to the next generation.
Some people oppose evolution because they believe that it implies there is no reason for existence. Many scientists who are religious such as the Cambridge palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris (BioLogos, 2014) believe that evolution is compatible with faith in God and can even be enhanced by it.
In fact, a large number of highly trained evolutionary biologists, including a few who are revered evangelical Christian leaders have been involved in the creation and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of these scientists contributed to the understanding of a broad range of phenomena, including genomics and phylogenetics, as well as the formation and function fossils.
The term "theory" which is often misinterpreted, refers to a scientific hypothesis that has been tested and refined over a period of time. Scientists test hypotheses by repeating the experiments or observations that led them to them. Therefore, the theory of evolution has been repeatedly tested out and so have the theories of Copernican, germ and atomic theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is a gradual shift in the proportions of genetically different individuals within a species over time. This change is a result of natural selection, which favors those who are better adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adaptable have a greater chance of survival and reproduction. As more of these individuals survive and reproduce their genes, they become more common in the general population. This process is sometimes called "survival for the strongest."
According to the theory of evolution the mutations that result in genomic variation are the raw material for evolution. These mutations can occur at random or under the influence of the environment. If mutations occur in a random manner and the frequencies of alleles will vary from generation to generation. If 에볼루션 무료체험 is beneficial it will increase the allele frequency which causes the allele to spread throughout the population.
These changes in allele frequency can lead to new species as time passes. The new species will then evolve and develop into newer forms. This is known as macroevolution. The formation of an entirely new species is typically due to changes in the environment which make certain kinds of resources available or cause new environmental problems. For instance, the development of finches in the Galapagos Islands is a result of the abundance of food sources and the need protect themselves from predators.
In a broader context, evolution can be defined as any change in the nature of living organisms over time. This change can be subtle, such as the development of new coloration or a dramatic change, such as the development of an organ.
Scientists who believe in the theory of evolution generally recognize the importance of genetic change in the process that causes evolution. They also agree that the process of evolution takes place over a lengthy period of time, usually millions of years. However, they differ over the role of various factors that speed up or slow down this process, such as the impact of environmental pressures, sexual selection and mutation bias. Despite these differences, most scientists believe that evolution is happening and that the evidence for this is overwhelming.
What is the Evidence of Evolution?
Since Darwin's time scientists have collected evidence to support his theory of evolution. Some of this evidence comes from fossils which show the changing characteristics of living organisms over time. Similarities between living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography, and genetics are evidence.
The evolutionary tree is the best way to prove evolution. It shows how different species are closely related. Homologous structures are another source of evidence. They share a common structure, but they perform different functions in different species, such as the wing of a bird or bat. Evolution is also evident in the fact that different species adapt and grow to similar environments. For example, arctic foxes and ptarmigans develop seasonal white pelts that blend in with snow and ice. This is a kind of convergent evolutionary process, which suggests that the species share ancestors.
Vestigial structures are another piece of evidence. These are a part of an organism which may serve a function in the distant past. For instance, the human appendix is a vestige of a once-used organ used to digest food. Natural selection is a process that causes the structures to shrink when they cease to be used.
Scientists have also gathered other evidence for evolution through observation and experimentation. The evidence for evolution can be divided into six different categories: changes that can be observed at a small scale biogeographic distributions, comparative anatomy, the fossil record and genetics. Each of these categories offers convincing evidence for the evolution of life.
Many people have misconceptions regarding the theory of evolution. But, it's an established fact. It is not simply a flimsy theory. It is a powerful collection of decades of observation and accumulated data that has been tested and proven. 에볼루션 무료체험 continue to collect and study new information to better understand the history of the Earth's life, regardless of whether people believe in the theory of evolution or not. This information will help scientists to better understand how to prevent future global catastrophes, and how to best utilize the resources available on our planet. It will also enable us to better meet the needs of people living on the planet.