The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution through natural selection is the defining force of modern biology. It brings together disciplines like microbiology, palaeontology, genetics and palaeontology.
The study of evolution may be controversial, and the misinformation that comes from it can cause confusion about the fundamentals of evolution. This site can help explain the most important concepts.
What is Evolution?
Modern evolutionary theory is based on the gradual and cumulative changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result of natural selection, a process that increases the amount of organisms that possess beneficial traits that allow them to survive and reproduce in a particular environment. This means that these organisms leave more offspring than those who do not have the beneficial characteristics. This can result in a genetic mutation which could eventually lead to new species.
The term "evolution", is often associated with "survival-of-the fittest" which implies that people who are more adapted to certain environmental conditions will have an advantage over those who are less well adapted. This is just one of many ways that evolution can happen.
Another way of using the word evolution is to suggest that species can change from one state to the next. This view of evolution is referred to as anagenetic or cladogenesis. 무료에볼루션 is not supported by the definition of evolution in science. Instead the theory of evolution that is scientifically based is based on the changes that take place in populations over time and these changes are caused by mutations that produce genomic variation and natural selection.
Certain scientists, including the great Charles Darwin, advocated this view of evolution. Others, including 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 ones.
For a concept to be considered a theory, it must be able to stand up to rigorous testing and evidence. Evolution has stood the test of time, and has been supported in countless scientific disciplines from biology to geology, from astronomy to chemistry. Evolution is a cornerstone of science and is backed by a majority of scientists around the globe. Many people are misinformed about the nature of evolution theory and how it connects to 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 established facts: that more offspring are produced than can survive as individuals differ in their physical characteristics and that they are able to pass on traits to the next generation. These findings are backed by a growing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology and climatology functional geology, morphology.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the theory of evolution based on selection in the middle of the 19th century as a reason why organisms are adapted their physical and biologic environments. It is today the most supported and most widely tested theory in all of science. Its predictions were proved by the fact that for instance, more complex organisms have less genetic mutations. In addition the more successful an organism is in reproduction and survival, the more likely it will be to pass on its genes to future generations.
Some people oppose evolution because they believe it implies that there is no purpose to life. However, many scientists who are also religious believers like the famous Cambridge Palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris, believe that evolution is not only compatible with belief in God but is enhanced by it (BioLogos 2014).
In reality, a large number of highly trained evolutionary biologists, some of who are revered evangelical Christian leaders, have been involved in the creation and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of them have contributed to the understanding of a wide range of phenomena, including phylogenetics and genomics, and the development and role of fossils.
The word "theory" is sometimes used in a wrong sense to mean a speculation or guess but in reality it refers to a scientific hypothesis that has been rigorously developed and tested over time. Scientists test hypotheses through repeating the experiments or observations that led them to them. Thus, 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 shift in the genetic makeup of diverse individuals within a species over time. This is the result of natural selection, which favors those who are better adapted for their environment. The individuals who are more adaptable have a better chance of survival and reproduction. As more people live and reproduce, their genes are more widely distributed within the population. This process is sometimes referred to as "survival for the strongest."
According to evolution theory the causes of mutations that result in genetic variation are the primary reason for evolutionary change. These mutations could occur at random or under the influence of the environment. When mutations are random, the frequencies of the resulting alleles may vary from generation to generation. In contrast, when an alteration is beneficial it increases the frequency of the allele, causing it to spread across the population.
Changes in the frequency of alleles can result in new species as time passes. The new species will evolve and develop into newer forms. This is known as macroevolution. The formation of an entirely new species is typically due to changes in the environment that allow certain kinds of resources to become available or cause new environmental problems. For example, the evolution of finches in the Galapagos Islands is a result of the abundance of food sources and the need defend themselves from predators.
In a larger sense, evolution can be defined as any change in the characteristics of living organisms over time. The change could be minor or even the creation of a new coloration or massive, for instance, the creation of a new organ.
Scientists who believe in the theory of evolution generally agree that genetic change is important in generating evolution. They also agree that the process of evolution occurs over a lengthy period of time, often millions of years. However, they differ over the role of different factors in accelerating or retarding the process, like the influence of environmental pressures sexual selection and mutation bias. Despite these disagreements, most scientists still believe that evolution is real and that the evidence in support of this is overwhelming.
What is the Evidence of Evolution?
Throughout the years since Darwin's time, scientists have gathered evidence to support Darwin's theory of evolution. This evidence comes from fossils that demonstrate the evolution of organisms over time. Similarities between living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography, and genetics are further evidence.
The evolutionary tree is the best way to prove evolution. It demonstrates how species are related. Homologous structures are another evidence. They share a similar structure but serve different purposes in different species, such as the wing of a bird or bat. Evolution is evident in that different species adapt and develop to similar environments. For instance, arctic foxes and ptarmigans have seasonal white pelts to blend in with snow and ice. This is a type of convergent evolutionary mechanism, which suggests that the species share ancestors.
Another source of evidence is the existence of vestige structures, which are unutilized organs that could have served a purpose in the distant ancestor. For instance the human appendix is a vestige of a once-used organ used to digest food. Natural selection causes the structures to shrink when they cease to be used.
Scientists have also gathered evidence for evolution by observing and testing. The evidence for evolution can be divided into six distinct categories: directly observable changes at small scales biogeographic distributions, comparative anatomies, the fossil record and genetics. Each of these provides compelling evidence that the evolution of life took place.
While many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution, it is a scientific fact. It is not just a theory; it is a potent collection of years of observation and accumulated data that has been proven and tested. Scientists continue to gather and analyze new data to better understand the history of Earth's existence regardless of whether people believe in the theory of evolution or not. This information will allow scientists to better understand how to prevent future global catastrophes, and how to use the resources available on our planet. It will also allow us to better meet the needs of all the people living on the planet.