The Evolution Site
The concept of natural selection as the foundation of evolution is the central force in the current biology. It connects disciplines such as microbiology, palaeontology, genetics and palaeontology.
The study of evolution may be controversial and the misinformation that is generated can lead to confusion about its basic concepts. This website helps to to clarify the fundamental concepts.
What is Evolution?
The current understanding of evolution focuses on the gradual, cumulative changes that occur within populations over time. These changes are the result of natural selection. This is a process that increases the number of organisms that have beneficial traits, which enable them to live and reproduce in particular environments. As a result, these organisms produce more offspring than those that don't possess the beneficial traits. This results in a genetic change that can eventually lead to the formation of new species.
The term "evolution" is usually associated with "survival-of-the best" which implies that people who are more adjusted to certain conditions will have a distinct advantage over those who are less well adapted. This is just one of many ways that evolution can occur.
Another common way the word evolution is used is to suggest that a species will invariably change from one state of being to the next one. This view of evolution is known as anagenetic or cladogenesis. This theory is not supported by the definition of evolution in science. The evolutionary theory that scientists have developed changes focuses on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result mutations which result in natural selection and genetic variation.
Certain scientists, including the great Charles Darwin, advocated this theory of evolution. Alfred Russel Wallace who developed the macroevolution theory believed that this was the only way that higher forms of living could have evolved.
For a concept to be considered a theory, it has to be capable of standing up to rigorous testing and evidence. The evidence of evolution has stood the test of time and has been backed by a myriad of studies across a wide range of sciences, from biology to geology to chemistry to astronomy. Evolution is the foundation of science and is backed by the majority of scientists across the globe. Many people are confused about the nature of evolution theory particularly how it is connected with religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution (Evolutionary Theory)?
Evolution is a scientific explanation of how living things change with time. It relies on a number of well-established observations such as the fact 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 characteristics result in different rates of reproduction and survival; and that traits can be passed on to future generations. These findings are supported by the increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology functional morphology, climatology, and geology.
The theory of evolution by natural selection was conceived independently by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the late 19th century as an explanation for the reason that organisms are adapted to their biological and physical environments. It is today the most supported and most widely tested theory in the field of science. Its predictions have been borne out by the evidence that, for instance, more complex organisms tend to have less genetic mutations than simpler ones. In addition, the more efficient an organism is in surviving and reproducing, the more likely it is to pass on its genes to the next generation.
Some people oppose evolution because they believe that it implies that there is no purpose for life. However, a lot of scientists who are also religious believers, such as the prominent Cambridge palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris, believe that evolution is not just compatible with faith in God but is enhanced by it (BioLogos 2014).
In actual fact, a significant number of highly skilled evolutionary biologists, including a few who are revered evangelical Christian leaders have been involved in the development and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of these researchers have contributed to the understanding of a vast variety of phenomena like phylogenetics, genomics, and the formation and purpose of fossils.
The word "theory" is sometimes used incorrectly to mean a guess or speculation however it actually is a scientific hypothesis that has been systematically developed and tested over time. Scientists test hypotheses through repeating the experiments or observations that led them to them. Thus, the theory of evolution has been repeatedly tested out as have the corresponding 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 diverse individuals within a species over time. This change is the result of the natural selection of individuals who are more well-adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adapted have higher chances of reproduction and survival. As more individuals survive and reproduce, their genes become more prevalent in the general population. This process is sometimes called "survival for the strongest."
According to 에볼루션 무료체험 of evolution, the mutations that produce genetic variation are the basic basis for evolutionary change. These mutations could occur at random or be affected by the environment. When mutations are random the frequency of the resultant alleles could differ from generation to generation. If a mutation is beneficial, it can increase the frequency of the allele which causes the allele to be spread across the population.
Changes in the frequency of alleles could lead to new species in the course of time. The new species could grow and evolve into newer forms. This process is called macroevolution. The development of a new species is usually due to changes in the environment that make certain kinds of resources available or cause new environmental challenges. The development of finches in the Galapagos Islands, for example, is due to the availability of new foods and the need to defend themselves against predators.
In a larger sense it is any change that takes place in the nature of organisms over the course of time. This change can be small like the development of a new coloration, or massive, for instance, the creation of a new organ.
Scientists who believe in the theory of evolution generally agree that genetic change is crucial in the process of creating evolution. They also acknowledge that the process of evolution takes place over a long time, usually millions of years. However, they differ over the role of various factors in speeding or slowing this process, such as the influence of environmental pressures sexual selection and mutation bias. Despite these differences, the majority of scientists believe that evolution is happening and that the evidence for this is overwhelming.
What evidence can be found for evolution?
Since Darwin's time scientists have collected evidence to back his theory of evolution. The evidence comes from fossils that show the evolution of living organisms over time. Similarities between living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography, and genetics are further evidence.
The most important proof of evolution is in the evolutionary tree, which demonstrates how different species are connected. Homologous structures are another proof. They share a common structure, but they perform different functions in different species, for instance, the wing of a bird or bat. Evolution is evident in that different species adapt and grow to similar environments. For example, arctic foxes and ptarmigans have white fur coats that blend into snow and ice. This is a type of convergent evolutionary process, which suggests that the species share ancestors.
Another piece of evidence is vestigial structures, which are unutilized parts of an organism that may serve a purpose in the distant ancestor. The human appendix, for instance is a remnant of an organ that once 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 evidence for evolution by observing and experimenting. The evidence for evolution can be divided into six categories: directly visible small-scale changes, biogeographic patterns, comparative anatomy, the fossil record, classification and genetics. Each of these provides convincing evidence that evolution of life has occurred.
While many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution, it is a scientific fact. It is not a theory but a powerful collection founded on decades of observation. Regardless of what people believe or disbelieve about the theory of evolution scientists continue to research and gather new information to better understand the history of life on Earth. This information will help scientists to better understand how to avoid future global catastrophes, and how best to make use of the resources of our planet. It will also allow us to better serve the needs of the people living on the planet.