The Evolution Site
The theory of evolution through natural selection is the defining force of modern biology. It connects disciplines such as genetics, microbiology, and Palaeontology.
The study of evolution may be controversial, and the misinformation that is generated can cause confusion about the fundamentals of evolution. This website helps to clarify essential concepts.
What is Evolution?
에볼루션사이트 is based on the gradual and cumulative changes that happen in populations over time. These changes are a result of natural selection, a process that increases the amount of organisms that have traits that are beneficial and allow them to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. These organisms produce more offspring because of the positive traits. This results in an alteration in genetics that could eventually lead to the development of new species.
The term "evolution" is often ascribed to the notion of "survival of the strongest," which implies that individuals who are best 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 in which evolution can happen.
Another popular way to use the word evolution is to suggest that a species will progress from one state to the next. This theory of evolution is called anagenetic or cladogenesis. The definition of evolution in science 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 which result in natural selection and genomic variation.
Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who backed this idea. Others, notably Alfred Russel Wallace, who created the macroevolution theory, believed that this was the only way the higher forms of life could have evolved from the lower forms.
To be able to be referred to as a theory, it must be capable of standing up to rigorous tests and evidence. The evidence of evolution has stood up to the test of time and has been backed by numerous studies in various scientific disciplines, ranging from biology to geology to chemistry to astronomy. Evolution is the foundation of science and is backed by a majority of scientists across the world. Many people are misinformed about the nature of the theory of evolution particularly how it is connected with religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution (Evolutionary Theory)?
Evolution is an explanation for the way living things change over time. It is based on a variety of well-established observations: that more offspring are produced than could possibly survive in the long run; that individuals differ from one another in their physical characteristics (phenotype) and that various traits have different rates of survival and reproduction; and that traits can be passed on to the next generation. These findings are supported by the increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology, functional morphology, climatology, and geology.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently conceived the theory of evolution based on selection in the mid-19th Century as a reason why organisms are adapted their physical and biological environments. It is the most widely accepted and tested theory in the field of science. Its predictions were proven by the evidence that, for instance, more complex organisms have less genetic mutations. In addition the more efficient an organism is in being able to reproduce and survive in its ability to reproduce, the more likely it is to pass its genes to future generations.
Some people oppose evolution because they believe it implies there is no reason for existence. Many scientists who are religious believers like Cambridge Palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris (BioLogos, 2014), believe that evolution is compatible with faith in God and is even enhanced by it.
In actual fact, a significant number of highly trained evolutionary biologists, including some who are revered evangelical Christian leaders have been involved in the development and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of these researchers have contributed to the understanding of a broad range of phenomena, such as phylogenetics, genomics, and the formation and purpose of fossils.
The word "theory", which is often used incorrectly is a reference to a scientific hypotheses that have been tested and refined over time. Scientists test their hypotheses by repeating the experiment or observations that have led to them. The theory of evolution has been repeatedly tested out as have the corresponding theories of Copernican, atomic 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 certain species. This change is a result of natural selection, which favors those who are more adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adaptable have a better chance of survival and reproduction. As more of these people survive and reproduce, their genes become more common in the population. This is sometimes referred to as "survival for the strongest."
According to the theory of evolution, mutations that lead to genetic variation are the primary reason for evolution. These mutations may occur at random or under the influence of the environment. When mutations are random the frequency of the resultant alleles could vary from generation to generation. However, when a mutation is beneficial, it increases the frequency of the allele, which causes it to spread across the population.
The changes in frequency of alleles could lead to new species in the course of time. The new species will then develop and evolve into new forms. This process is called macroevolution. The formation of a new species is often due to changes in the environment that make certain kinds of resources available or cause new environmental problems. For example, the evolution of finches on the Galapagos Islands is a result of the availability of various foods and the need to defend themselves from predators.
In a broader sense it is any change that occurs in the nature of living organisms over time. The change could be subtle, like the development of a new color or a dramatic change, such as the formation of an organ.
Scientists who believe in the theory of evolution generally agree on the importance of genetic change in generating evolution. They also believe that evolution is a process that takes place in time, typically over millions of years. They differ on the importance of different factors that can accelerate or slow down this process. For example the role played by sexual selection, environmental pressures, and mutation bias. Despite these differences most scientists are still convinced that evolution is real and the evidence to support this is overwhelming.
What is the Evidence of Evolution?
Throughout the years since Darwin's time, scientists have collected evidence that supports Darwin's theory of evolution. A portion of this evidence is derived from fossils which demonstrate the changing features of organisms through time. Similarities between living and non-living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography and genetics are evidence.
The main proof of evolution is in the evolutionary tree, which illustrates how different species are related. Homologous structures are another proof. They share a similar structure but perform different functions in different species, like the wing of a bird or bat. The fact that different species develop and adapt to the same environment is also a sign of evolution. For example, arctic-foxes and Ptarmigans have white seasonal pelts which blend with snow and ice. This is a form of convergent evolution that suggests that the species had common ancestors.
Vestigial structures are a different piece of evidence. They are the remains of an organism that may have served a purpose in the past. For example, the human appendix is remnants of an earlier organ that served to digest food. Natural selection is a process that causes the structures to shrink when they are no longer utilized.
Scientists have also collected evidence for evolution through observation and testing. Evidence for evolution is grouped into six categories: directly observed small-scale changes, biogeographic patterns, comparative anatomy, the fossil record, classification and genetics. Each of these categories offers convincing evidence for the evolution of life.
Many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution. However, it is a fact. It isn't just a theory; it is a potent collection of decades of observations and data that has been tested and proven. Scientists continue to gather and analyze new data to better understand the history of Earth's evolution regardless of whether people believe in the theory of evolution or not. This information will allow scientists to better understand how to prevent future catastrophes on the planet, and how to best utilize the resources of our planet. It will also allow us to better serve the needs of the people on this planet.