The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution based on natural selection is the defining force of modern biology. It ties together disciplines such as genetics, microbiology, and Palaeontology.
However the study of evolutionary theory is often controversial and the misinformation that results can confuse people about its basic concepts. This site clarifies essential concepts.
What is Evolution?
The modern understanding of evolution focuses on the gradual, cumulative changes that occur within populations over time. These changes are caused by natural selection, which increases the amount of organisms that have beneficial traits that enable them to live and reproduce in a particular environment. They produce more offspring as a result of the beneficial traits. This causes the genetic changes that can eventually lead to the formation of new species.
The term "evolution" is often ascribed to the notion of "survival of the strongest," which means that people who are the most adapted to a particular set of environmental conditions will have an advantage over those who aren't well-adapted. This is just one of many ways that evolution can happen.
Another way to use the term "evolution" is to suggest that species can change from one state to the next. This theory of evolution is called anagenetic or cladogenesis. This view is not supported by the definition of evolution that is scientifically accepted. The theory of evolution that is based on science change focuses instead on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result mutations that produce natural selection and genomic variation.
Some scientists, such as the great Charles Darwin, advocated this view of evolution. Others, notably Alfred Russel Wallace, who came up with the macroevolution theory and believed that this was the only way that the higher forms of life could be derived from lower ones.
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 proven to be valid in countless scientific disciplines from biology to geology, the sciences of astronomy to chemistry. In fact evolution is regarded as one of the fundamental tenets of science today and is backed by the majority of scientists worldwide. However, there are many misconceptions about the nature of the theory of evolution, specifically the relationship it has with religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution (Evolutionary Theory)?
Evolution is the scientific explanation for the way living things change over time. It is based upon a few known facts: that more offspring are created than can survive, that individuals differ in their physical characteristics and that they can transmit traits to the next generation. These observations are backed by the growing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology climatology, functional morphology and geology.
The theory of evolution based on natural selection was conceived independently by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the mid-19th century as an explanation for why organisms are adapted to their biological and physical environment. It is the most widely accepted and tested theory in science. Its theories have been proven out by the fact that, for instance, more complex organisms have fewer genetic mutations than simpler ones. The more successful an organism gets in terms of surviving and reproducing the more likely it will pass its genes on to the next generation.
Some people oppose evolution because they believe that it suggests that there is no purpose to life. Many scientists who are religious, like 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 qualified evolutionary biologists, including some who are renowned evangelical Christian leaders, have been involved in the development and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of them have contributed to the understanding of a wide variety of phenomena, including phylogenetics and genomics and the formation and purpose of fossils.
The term "theory" is sometimes used in a wrong sense to mean a speculation or guess, when in fact it refers to a scientific idea that has been rigorously tested and refined over time. Scientists test their hypotheses by repeating the experiments or observations that led to them. Therefore, the theory of evolution has been repeatedly borne out, as have the related theories of Copernican, germ and atomic theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is the gradual change over time in the percentage of genetically distinct individuals within a certain species. This is the result of natural selection, which favors individuals who are more adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adaptable have a greater chance of survival and reproduction. As more people survive and reproduce, their genes are more common in the general population. Info is sometimes described as "survival of the fittest."
According to the theory of evolution the mutations that cause genomic variation are the primary material for evolution. These mutations could occur at random or be affected by the environment. When mutations are random the resulting allele frequencies may 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.
These changes in allele frequency could lead to new species over time. The new species may continue to evolve and become newer forms. This is known as macroevolution. The creation of new species is typically due to changes in the environment that make certain resources accessible or creates new environmental problems. The evolution of finches in Galapagos Islands, for example, is due to the availability of new food and the necessity to defend themselves against predators.
In a larger sense it is possible to define evolution as any change in the characteristics of living organisms over time. This change can be small or even the creation of a new coloration or even massive, like the creation of a new organ.
Scientists who accept the theory of evolution generally recognize the importance of genetic changes in the process of generating evolution. They also agree that evolution is a process that takes place over time, typically over millions of years. However, they differ over the importance of different factors in speeding or slowing the process, including the impact of environmental pressures, sexual selection and mutation bias. Despite these differences most scientists still believe that evolution is real and that the evidence to support this is overwhelming.
What is the evidence for evolution?
Throughout the years since Darwin's time, scientists have gathered evidence to support his theory of evolution. This evidence comes from fossils that show the evolution of living organisms over time. Similarities between living and non-living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography and genetics are also evidence.
The evolutionary tree is the best way to prove evolution. It shows how different species are closely related. Homologous structures are another proof. They share a common structure but perform different functions in different species, like the wings of a bird or bat. Evolution is also evident in the fact that different species adapt and develop to similar environments. For 에볼루션코리아 , arctic foxes and ptarmigans grow seasonal white pelts that blend in with snow and ice. This is a form of convergent evolution, which suggests that the species has common ancestral ancestors.
Another piece of evidence is vestigial structures, which are unusable organs that could serve a purpose in the distant ancestors. The human appendix for instance is a remnant of an organ that once used to digest food. These structures tend to shrink in size when they are no longer used, a process known as natural selection.
Scientists have also gathered additional evidence of evolution via observation and experimentation. The evidence for evolution can be grouped into six categories: directly visible small-scale changes, biogeographic patterns, comparative anatomy, the fossil record, classification and genetics. Each of these categories offers compelling evidence for the evolution of life.
While many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution it is a scientific fact. It is not a theory but rather a powerful collection that is founded on years of observation. Regardless of what people believe or don't believe about the theory of evolution scientists continue to study and gather new information in order to further understand the history of life on Earth. This information will allow scientists to better understand how to avoid future global catastrophes, and how to use the resources available on our planet. This information will also allow us to better serve the needs and wants of the people who live on this planet.