The Evolution Site
The concept of natural selection as the foundation of evolution is the central force in modern biology. It connects disciplines as diverse as genetics, microbiology and palaeontology.
The study of evolution can be controversial and the misinformation that is generated can lead to confusion over 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 which increases the number of organisms that have beneficial traits, which enable them to live and reproduce in particular environments. The organisms that have these traits produce more offspring because of the positive traits. This could lead to a genetic mutation that may eventually lead to new species.
The term "evolution" is often associated with "survival-of-the fittest" which means that those who are better adaptable to specific environmental conditions will have a distinct advantage over those less well adapted. However, this is only one of the many different ways that evolution can occur.
Another way to use the word evolution is to suggest that a species can change from one state to the next. This theory of evolution is known as anagenetic or cladogenesis. The scientific definition of evolution does not support this view. The theory of evolution that is based on science change focuses instead on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are caused by mutations that produce natural selection and genomic variation.
Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who supported this view. Others, such as Alfred Russel Wallace, who came up with the macroevolution theory believed that this was the only way that the higher forms of life could have evolved from the lower forms.
A concept must be able stand against rigorous tests and evidence in order to be considered a theory. The evidence for evolution has stood up to the test of time and has been backed by a myriad of studies across many scientific disciplines, ranging from biology to geology, chemistry to astronomy. In reality evolution is regarded as one of the fundamental tenets of science today and is backed by the majority of scientists worldwide. Many people are confused about the nature of the theory of evolution and how it connects to religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution (Evolutionary Theory)?
에볼루션 코리아 is an explanation for how living things change over time. It is based on a few established facts: that more offspring are born than can be surviving and that different individuals have their physical traits and they can pass on traits to future generations. These observations are supported by an increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology climatology functional morphology geology.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the theory of evolution through selection in the middle of the 19th century as an explanation why organisms are adapted their biological and physical environments. It is the most widely accepted and tested theory in the field of science. Its predictions have been proved out by the evidence that, for instance more complex organisms have fewer genetic mutations than simpler ones. The more successful an organism gets in terms of its longevity and reproducing, the more likely it is to transfer its genes to the next generation.
Some people are against evolution because they believe that it implies that there is no reason to life. 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 even enhanced by it.
Many highly skilled evolutionary biologists have been involved in the development and testing the theory of evolution, including several revered evangelical Christian leaders. Many of these researchers contributed to the understanding of a broad range of phenomena, including genomics and phylogenetics, and also the formation and function fossils.
The term "theory" that is often misused refers to scientific hypothesis that has been tested and refined over time. Scientists test their theories by repeating the experiments 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 and atomic theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is the gradual shift over time in the percentage of genetically distinct individuals within a specific species. This is the result of natural selection, which favors those who are better adapted to their environment. The more adapted individuals have better chances of reproduction and survival. As more of these individuals survive and reproduce their genes become more common in the general population. This process is sometimes referred to as "survival for the strongest."
According to evolution theory the mutations that cause genomic variation are what drives evolutionary change. These mutations may occur at random, or under the influence of the environment. When mutations occur at random, the allele frequencies may vary from generation to generation. If a mutation is beneficial, it will increase the frequency of alleles, causing the allele to spread throughout the population.
Changes in the frequency of alleles could lead to new species in the course of time. The new species will then evolve and develop into newer forms. This is a process called macroevolution. The formation of a new species is usually due to changes in the environment which provide certain types of resources available or cause new environmental challenges. The development of finches in the Galapagos Islands, for example, is due to the availability of fresh food and the necessity to defend themselves from predators.
In a broader sense, evolution is defined as any change that occurs in the traits of living organisms over time. This change can be subtle, like the development of new colors 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 changes in the process of generating evolution. They also believe that evolution is a process that occurs over time, usually over millions of years. However, they differ on the role of different factors in accelerating or retarding the process, like the impact of environmental pressures, sexual selection and mutation bias. Despite these disagreements, most scientists still believe that evolution is real and the evidence in support of this is overwhelming.
What evidence do we have to support evolution?
Since Darwin's time, scientists have gathered evidence to support his theory of evolution. This evidence comes from fossils that demonstrate the evolution of living organisms over time. Other evidence is found in the similarities between living organisms embryology, biogeography genetics and comparative anatomy.
The evolutionary tree is the best method to prove the existence of evolution. It shows how species are related. Homologous structures are another evidence. They have a similar structure, but they perform different functions in different species, like the wing of a bird or bat. Evolution is evident in the way that various species adapt and evolve to similar environments. For example, arctic-foxes and Ptarmigans wear white pelts during the winter months that blend into the snow and ice. This is a kind of convergent evolutionary mechanism, which suggests that the species have shared common ancestors.
Vestigial structures are another piece of evidence. These are parts of an organism that could have served some purpose in the past. For example, the human appendix is remnants of an earlier organ used to digest food. Natural selection causes these structures to shrink as they are no longer utilized.
Scientists have also gathered other evidence of evolution via observation and experimentation. The evidence for evolution can be grouped into six categories: directly visible small-scale changes, biogeographic distribution, comparative anatomy, the fossil record, classification and genetics. Each of these provides compelling evidence that the evolution of life has taken place.
Many people have misconceptions about the theory of evolution. However, it is an actual fact. It isn't simply a flimsy theory. It is a potent collection of years of research and observation that has been proven and tested. No matter what people believe or disbelieve about the theory of evolution scientists continue to study and discover new information to better know the story of life on Earth. This information will aid scientists understand how to prevent future catastrophes on the planet and how to best utilize our planet's resources. This will allow us to better serve the needs of people living on the planet.