The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution by natural selection is the defining force of modern biology. It connects disciplines such as genetics, microbiology and Palaeontology.
However the study of evolutionary theory is often controversial, and the misinformation that results can confuse people regarding its fundamentals. This site clarifies the most fundamental concepts.
What is Evolution?
The current understanding of evolution is based on the gradual change that occurs within populations over time. These changes are the result of natural selection, which increases the number of organisms that have traits that are beneficial and allow them to survive and reproduce in a particular environment. This means that these organisms produce more offspring than those that do not have the beneficial characteristics. 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 fittest" which means that those who are better adaptable to specific environmental conditions will have an advantage over those who are less well adapted. This is only one of the many ways in which evolution can happen.
Another way of using the word evolution is to suggest that a species are able to move from one stage to the next. This theory of evolution is referred to as anagenetic or cladogenesis. The definition of evolution that scientists have developed does not support this view. Instead the theory of evolution that is scientifically based focuses on changes that happen in populations over time and these changes are the result of mutations that produce genomic variation and natural selection.
Some scientists, including the great Charles Darwin, advocated this view of evolution. Alfred Russel Wallace who developed the macroevolution theory believed that this was only way the higher living forms could have evolved.
A theory must stand up to rigorous tests and evidence in order to be considered a theory. Evolution has stood the test of time and has been supported in countless scientific disciplines from geology to biology, from astronomy to chemistry. Evolution is the foundation of science and is supported by the majority of scientists around the globe. However, many people have misconceptions about the nature of the theory of evolution, specifically the relationship it has with religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution?
Evolution is the scientific explanation of how living things change over time. 에볼루션바카라 is based on a range of well-established observable facts that show that more offspring are produced than could possibly survive; that individuals differ from each other in their physical characteristics (phenotype) and that various traits confer varying rates of survival and reproduction and reproduction; and that these traits can be passed on to the next generation. These observations are supported by a growing body of evidence drawn from molecular biology, palaeontology and climatology functional geology, morphology.
The theory of evolution through natural selection was conceived independently by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the late 19th century as an explanation for why organisms are adapted to their physical and biological environment. It is currently the most well-supported and widely-tested theory in the field of science. Its predictions have been borne out by the fact that, for example complex organisms are more likely 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 pass its genes on to the next generation.
Some people are against evolution because they believe it implies there is no reason for existence. Many scientists who are religious believers such as the Cambridge palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris (BioLogos, 2014), believe that evolution is compatible with faith in God and is even enhanced by it.
In fact, a large number of highly trained evolutionary biologists, some of who are renowned 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 wide range phenomena, including genomics and phylogenetics and also the formation and function of fossils.
The term "theory" is sometimes used in a wrong sense to mean an assumption or speculation, when in fact it refers to a scientific idea that has been systematically developed and tested over time. Scientists test their hypotheses by repeating the experiment or observations that have led to them. Therefore, the theory of evolution has been repeatedly borne out and so have the theories of Copernican, germ theory, and atomic theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is a gradual change in the proportions of genetically different individuals within a species over time. This change is the result of natural selection of individuals who are more adapted to their environment. The better-adapted individuals have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. As more individuals survive and reproduce, their genes are more common within the population. This is often referred to as "survival of the strongest."
According to the theory of evolution the mutations that result in genetic variation are the basic basis for evolutionary change. These mutations could occur randomly or under the influence of the environment. When mutations are random the frequency of the resultant alleles could vary from generation to generation. When a mutation is beneficial, it will increase the frequency of the allele, which causes it to spread throughout the population.
Changes in the frequency of alleles can lead to new species as time passes. The new species may continue to evolve and become newer forms. This process is called macroevolution. The creation of a new species is usually caused by changes in the environment that make certain kinds of resources available or cause new environmental problems. The development of finches in the Galapagos Islands, for example, is due to the availability of new food and the need to defend themselves against predators.
In a wider sense it is possible to define evolution as any change in the characteristics of living organisms over time. This change can be small, such as the development of a new coloration, or large, such as the formation of a new organ.
Scientists who believe in evolution theory generally agree that genetic change is crucial in the process of the process of generating evolution. They also agree that the process of evolution happens over a long period of time, often millions of years. However, they differ on the importance of different factors in speeding or slowing the process, including the role of environmental pressures, sexual selection, and mutation bias. Despite these differences most scientists are still convinced that evolution is real and that the evidence to prove it is overwhelming.
What is the evidence for evolution?
Throughout the years since Darwin's time, scientists have gathered evidence that supports Darwin's theory of evolution. The evidence comes from fossils that demonstrate the evolution of organisms over time. Additional evidence can be found in similarities between living organisms, embryology, biogeography, genetics and comparative anatomy.
The main proof of evolution can be found in the evolutionary tree, which shows how species are related. Homologous structures are another proof. They have a similar structure but perform different functions in different species, such as the wing of a bird or bat. The fact that different species develop and adapt to the same environment is another sign of evolution. For instance, arctic-foxes and Ptarmigans have white pelts during the winter months that blend into the snow and ice. This is a type of convergent evolution that suggests that the species has common ancestral ancestors.
Vestigial structures are another piece of evidence. They are the remains of an organism that could have served a purpose in the distant past. For example the human appendix may be remnants of an earlier organ used to digest food. Natural selection is a process that causes these structures to shrink as they are no longer utilized.
Scientists have also collected evidence for evolution by observing and testing. The evidence for evolution can be classified into six distinct categories: directly observable changes at small scales, biogeographic distributions, comparative anatomies fossil records, genetics. Each of these categories offers compelling evidence for the evolution of life.
Many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution. However, it is an established fact. It is not a theory but a powerful collection based on decades of observation. No matter what people believe or deny about the theory of evolution scientists continue to research and gather new information in order to further comprehend the evolution of life on Earth. This information will help scientists to better understand how we can avoid future global catastrophes, and how best to make use of the resources of our planet. This information will also allow us to better meet the needs and desires of the people who live on this planet.