The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution based on natural selection is the defining force of modern biology. It combines disciplines such as genetics, palaeontology and microbiology.
However the study of evolutionary theory is often controversial and the resulting misinformation can confuse people about its fundamentals. This site clarifies the most fundamental concepts.
What is Evolution?
Modern evolutionary theory focuses on the gradual and cumulative changes that happen in populations over time. These changes are the results of natural selection. This is a process that increases the number of organisms that have beneficial traits, which allow them to survive and reproduce in particular environments. The organisms that have these traits produce more offspring as a result of the positive traits. This can cause a genetic change that could eventually lead to the creation of new species.
The term "evolution", is often associated with "survival-of-the fittest" which implies that individuals who are better adaptable to specific environmental conditions will have a distinct advantage over those less well adapted. In reality, this is only one of many ways in which evolution can occur.
Another common way the word evolution is used to suggest that a species will inevitably change from one state to the next one. This type of view of evolution could be referred to as anagenetic or cladogenesis. The definition of evolution that scientists have developed is not in agreement with this view. The scientific theory of evolutionary change focuses instead on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result mutations that produce natural selection and genetic variation.
Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who backed this view. Others, such as Alfred Russel Wallace, who created the macroevolution theory and believed that this was the only way that the higher forms of life could be derived from lower forms.
In order for a concept to be referred to as a theory, it must be capable of surviving rigorous tests and evidence. Evolution has stood the test of time and has been proven to be valid in countless scientific disciplines from biology to geology, chemistry to astronomy. Evolution is the foundation of science and is backed by a majority of scientists around the world. Many people are misinformed about the nature of the theory of evolution 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 few established facts: that more offspring are born than can be surviving and that different individuals have their physical characteristics, and that they can transmit traits to the next generation. These findings are supported by the increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology climatology, functional morphology and geology.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the theory of evolution based on selection in the mid-19th Century as a way to explain how organisms adapt to their biological and physical environments. It is today the most supported and most widely tested theory in all of science. Its theories have been proven out by the fact that, for instance complex organisms are more likely to have less genetic mutations than simpler ones. Additionally, the more efficient an organism is in surviving and reproducing, the more likely it will be to pass its genes to the next generation.
Some people object to evolution because they believe that it implies that there is no meaning to life. However, a lot of scientists who are also religious believers like the famous Cambridge palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris, believe that evolution is not only compatible with faith in God but is enhanced by it (BioLogos 2014).
In fact, a large number of highly skilled 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 researchers contributed to the understanding a vast array of phenomena, such as phylogenetics and genomics, as well as the formation and function of fossils.
The term "theory" that is often used incorrectly, refers to a scientific hypotheses that have been tested and refined over a long period of time. Scientists test their theories by repeating the experiment or observations that led to them. Therefore, the theory of evolutionary theory has been repeatedly confirmed along with the related theories of Copernican theory as well as atomic theory and germ theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is a gradual shift in the genetic makeup of different individuals within a particular species over time. This is the result of natural selection of individuals that are better adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adaptable have a greater chance of survival and reproduction. As 에볼루션 사이트 live and reproduce their genes are more common in the general population. This is sometimes referred to as "survival for the fittest."
According to the theory of evolution the mutations that result in genomic variation are the raw material for evolution. These mutations can occur randomly or be affected by the environment. When mutations occur at random, the allele frequencies can vary from generation-to-generation. However, when the mutation is beneficial, it will increase the frequency of the allele, which causes it to spread through the population.
Over time, these changes in the frequencies of alleles can lead to the formation of new species. The new species could develop further and evolve into newer forms. This process is called macroevolution. The development of new species is usually caused by changes in the environment, which make certain resources available or creates new environmental issues. For example, the evolution of finches on the Galapagos Islands is a result of the availability of different foods and the need to protect themselves from predators.
In a broader context it is possible to define evolution as any change in the characteristics of living organisms over time. The change could be minor like the development of a new coloration, or large, such as the development of a brand new organ.
Scientists who believe in the theory of evolution generally agree on the importance of genetic change in generating evolution. They also acknowledge that the process of evolution takes place over a lengthy period of time, typically millions of years. However, they differ over the role of various factors in speeding or slowing this process, such as the impact of environmental pressures, sexual selection, and mutation bias. Despite these disagreements, most scientists still believe that evolution is real and the evidence to prove it is overwhelming.
What evidence can be found for evolution?
In the decades since Darwin's time, scientists have gathered evidence to support Darwin's theory of evolution. Some of this evidence comes from fossils, which demonstrate the changing features of living things over time. Similarities between living and non-living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography and genetics are also evidence.
The evolutionary tree is the most effective method to prove the existence of evolution. It shows how different species are closely related. Another source of evidence is homologous structures, which have similar structures in different species but have distinct functions such as the wings of bats and birds. Evolution is evident in the way that various species adapt and evolve to similar environments. For instance, arctic foxes and ptarmigans have seasonal white pelts to blend into snow and ice. This is a type of convergent evolutionary process which suggests that the species have shared ancestors.
The vestiges of structures are another source of evidence. These are parts of an organism that could have served some purpose in the distant past. For example the human appendix is a vestige of a once-used organ used to digest food. These structures tend to shrink in size once they are no longer utilized in a process called natural selection.
Scientists have also collected other evidence of evolution via observation and experimentation. Evidence for evolution is divided into six categories: directly visible small-scale changes in biogeographic distribution and comparative anatomy, the fossil record, classification and genetics. Each of these categories provides compelling evidence for the evolution of life.
Many people have misconceptions about the theory of evolution. However, it's an established fact. It is not only a theory, it is a powerful collection of decades of observation and accumulated data that has been proven and tested. Scientists continue to collect and analyze new data to better understand the history of the Earth's life regardless of whether or not people believe in the theory of evolution or not. This information will aid scientists better understand how to prevent future global catastrophes and how to best use the resources of our planet. This will allow us to better meet the needs of the people living on this planet.