The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution through natural selection is the unifying force of 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 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 which increases the number organisms with beneficial traits, which enable them to survive and reproduce in particular environments. As a result, these organisms have more offspring than those who don't possess the beneficial characteristics. This causes 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 individuals who are more adaptable to specific environmental conditions will have an advantage over those less well adapted. This is only one of the many ways that evolution could occur.
Another popular way to use the term "evolution" is to suggest that a species can change from one state to the next. This view of evolution can be described as anagenetic, or cladogenesis. This theory is not supported by the definition of evolution in science. Instead the scientific theory of evolution focuses on changes that happen in populations over time and these changes are the result of mutations that produce genomic variation and natural selection.
에볼루션 was one of the scientists who supported this view. Alfred Russel Wallace who developed the macroevolution theory believed this was only way the higher living forms could have evolved.
For a concept to be called a theory, it has to be capable of standing up to rigorous testing and evidence. The evidence of evolution has stood up to the test of time and has been backed by numerous studies in a wide range of scientific disciplines, ranging from biology to geology, chemistry to astronomy. Evolution is a cornerstone of science and is backed by the majority of scientists across the globe. However, many people have misconceptions about the theory of evolution, specifically the relationship it has with religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution?
Evolution is a scientific explanation of how living things change with time. It is based upon a few known facts: that more offspring are created than can be surviving, that individuals differ in their physical characteristics, and that they can pass on traits to future generations. These observations are backed by the increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology climatology, functional morphology and geology.
The theory of evolution through natural selection was initially conceived by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the mid-19th century as an explanation for why organisms are adapted to their physical and biological environments. It is today the most supported and most extensively tested theory in all of science. Its theories have been proven out by the fact that, for instance more complex organisms tend to have fewer genetic mutations than simpler ones. Additionally, the more efficient an organism is in surviving and reproducing and reproducing, the more likely it will be to pass on its genes to the next generation.
Some people are against evolution because they believe it implies that there is no purpose for 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 is 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 have contributed to the understanding of a vast variety of phenomena like phylogenetics, genomics, and the formation and function of fossils.
The word "theory" that is often used incorrectly, refers to a scientific hypotheses that have been tested and refined over time. Scientists test their theories by repeating the experiment or observations that have led to them. Therefore the theory of evolution theory has been repeatedly confirmed, as have the corresponding theories of Copernican theory as well as atomic theory and germ theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is the gradual shift over time in the proportion of genetically distinct individuals within a specific species. This change is the result of the natural selection of individuals that are more adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adaptable have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. As more people live and reproduce their genes are more common in the general population. This is sometimes called "survival of the fittest."
According to theories of evolution, mutations that lead to genomic variation are what drives evolution. These mutations can occur randomly or under the influence of the environment. If mutations are random, the frequency of the resultant alleles could differ from generation to generation. However, when an alteration is beneficial it increases the frequency of the allele, causing it to spread throughout the population.
Changes in the frequency of alleles can result in new species in the course of time. The new species may develop further and evolve into newer forms. This process is called macroevolution. The creation of a new species is often due to changes in the environment that allow certain kinds of resources to become available or cause new environmental challenges. For instance, the rise of finches on the Galapagos Islands is a result of the abundance of food sources and the need to defend themselves from predators.
In a wider context the term "evolution" refers to any change that occurs in the characteristics of organisms over time. This change can be subtle, such as the development of a new color or a dramatic change, such as the formation of an organ.
Scientists who accept the theory of evolution generally agree on the importance of genetic changes in the process of generating evolution. They also agree that the process of evolution takes place over a long time, often millions of years. However, they differ on the role of various factors in accelerating or retarding the process, like the role of environmental pressures, sexual selection and mutation bias. Despite these differences most scientists still believe that evolution is real and the evidence to prove it is overwhelming.
What is the evidence for evolution?
In the decades since Darwin's time, scientists have gathered evidence to support his theory of evolution. This evidence comes from fossils that demonstrate the evolution of organisms over time. Additional evidence can be found in similarities among living organisms embryology, biogeography genetics and comparative anatomy.
The evolutionary tree is the most effective way to prove evolution. It demonstrates how species are closely related. Another source of evidence is homologous structures, which have similar structures in different species but perform distinct functions like the wings of bats and birds. Evolution is also evident in the fact that different species adapt and develop to similar environments. For example, arctic-foxes and Ptarmigans have white fur coats that blend in with the snow and ice. This is a form of convergent evolutionary process which suggests the species shared ancestral ancestors.
The vestiges of structures are another source of evidence. These are parts of an organism that may 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. Natural selection is a process that causes these structures to shrink as they are no longer used.
Scientists have also gathered additional evidence for evolution through observation and experimentation. The evidence for evolution can be grouped into six different categories: directly observed changes at a small scale biogeographic distributions and comparative anatomies, the fossil record and genetics. Each of these provides compelling evidence that evolution of life has taken place.
While many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution, it is an established fact. It is not a theory, but a significant collection that is based on years of observation. Scientists continue to gather and study new information to better understand the evolution of Earth's evolution regardless of whether or not people believe in the theory of evolution or not. This information will help scientists to understand how to avoid future global catastrophes and also how to make the most of the resources of our planet. It will also enable us to better serve the needs of all the people living on this planet.