answersLogoWhite

0

Evidence for natural selection is both abundant and compelling. First, there is the taxonomy of species created by Linnaeus. This hierarchical system strongly implies modern species shared common ancestry, and it is this implication that prompted Charles Darwin to set out on his voyage on the Beagle. During that voyage Darwin encountered numerous fossils that helped him put forth and hone the theory of evolution. For example, Darwin noted fossils of extinct sloths, which highlighted the fact this species had undergone significant change over geologic time. Darwin was also aware that the earliest fossils were all "primitive" Cambrian marine organisms. It was apparent that at the earliest stages, there were no terrestrial life forms.

For natural selection specifically Darwin noted adaptations in varieties of pigeons introduced through artificial selection by pigeon breeders. He realized there was no reason nature could not produce similar variety through its own selection process, and the evidence of variation over geographical areas supports that.

Since Darwin's time we have developed techniques of molecular Biology and studies of embryology to further demonstrate the ancestral kinship shared by living organisms. Our own species, for example, shares a defect common to other primates (non functioning GULO gene which is responsible for the synthesis of ascorbic acid) almost no other mammal has. In addition, we can show that our chromosome number 2 is the result of the fusion of two primate chromosomes.

All of the scientific data comprises a veritable rock solid mountain of evidence detailing the pathways of evolution of the course of the past six hundred million years.

In the age old question "which came first the chicken or the egg," evolution points to the egg. As the years passed the egg changed by genetic mutation in the ancestors of the earliest chickens.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What supports the scientific theory that all species share a common ancestor?

Evolution.


Is lamackism and Darwinism compatible and how?

Lamarckism and Darwinism are not compatible because they propose different mechanisms for evolution. Lamarckism suggests that acquired traits can be passed down to offspring, while Darwinism proposes that natural selection acting on inherited variations drives evolution. The evidence overwhelmingly supports Darwinism as the main mechanism for evolution.


What is an example of direct evidence for evolution is... genetic changes in plants antibiotic resistance in bacteria pesticide resistance in insects or all of the above?

All of the above examples are direct evidence for evolution. Genetic changes in plants, antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and pesticide resistance in insects all demonstrate how species can adapt and evolve to survive in changing environments. This supports the theory of evolution by natural selection.


Why does the presence of extinct and transitional forms in the record support the pattern component of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

The presence of extinct and transitional forms in the fossil record supports the pattern component of the theory of evolution by natural selection because it provides tangible evidence of how species have changed over time. These fossils act as snapshots of different stages of evolution, showing the gradual transformation of species from common ancestors to their present forms. The continuity in the fossil record is consistent with the predictions of evolutionary theory, demonstrating the gradual divergence and diversification of species over millions of years.


What are current theries that conflict with Darwin's theory what evidence is used to support thses theories?

Current theories that conflict with Darwin's theory of evolution include Lamarckism, which suggests acquired traits can be passed down through generations, and Saltationism, which proposes that large evolutionary changes can happen suddenly. Supporters of Lamarckism cite cases of epigenetics as evidence, while proponents of Saltationism point to instances of punctuated equilibrium in the fossil record to support their claims.

Related Questions

Does evidence prove or disprove evolution?

Law and math prove things. Science supports tentative ( more or less ) explanations of natural phenomenon with evidence. The evidence overwhelmingly supports evolutionary theory. PS Evolution itself is a observed and observable fact.


Why does evolutionists claim that natural selection supports evolution?

Because it does! Natural selection is the best explanation of adaptive change that we have and drives much of evolution. talkorigins.orgPS: Evolutionists is an ideological, not a scientific term


Did penguins go through natural selection?

Yes, penguins, like all animals, have gone through natural selection. Scientific evidence supports this notion.


What do scientists think about the theory of evolution?

The scientific consensus overwhelmingly supports the theory of evolution. It is considered the foundational framework for understanding the history of life on Earth and is supported by a wide range of evidence from fields such as paleontology, genetics, and comparative anatomy. Scientific understanding of evolution continues to evolve as new evidence and discoveries emerge.


Why do people preach evolution when it is just a theory?

Because non-scientists do not understand what a scientific theory actually means. It is not a random guess. Scientific theories are formed based on evidence and experimentation.The scientific community advocates evolution because all the evidence of life on our planet supports the theory.


What is the biochemical evidence that supports evolution?

DNA


Evolution is the fundamental concept underlying all of biology and is supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence. Which of the following supports evolution?

Fossil records, comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and biogeography are all forms of scientific evidence that support the theory of evolution by showing how species have changed and diversified over time.


What evidence is there now to support Charles Darwin's theory of evolution?

There is overwhelming evidence in various scientific fields such as genetics, paleontology, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology that supports Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Fossil records show transitional forms, genetic similarities between related species, and observations of natural selection in action provide strong evidence for the theory. Additionally, the discovery of new species and their relationships through evolutionary relationships further supports Darwin's theory.


What Scientific reasoning of how a vestigial organ is evidence of evolution?

Vestigial organs are remnants of structures that were functional in our ancestors but no longer serve a purpose in modern organisms. The presence of these non-functional structures suggests that they have evolved from ancestral forms where they had a function. This supports the theory of evolution by providing evidence of how species have changed over time through natural selection and adaptation to new environments.


Is Darwin's theory proven?

A. It is no longer Darwin's theory as the theory of evolution by natural selection has been modified and added to since Darwin's day. Still, Darwin would recognize the theory as it stands today. B. Science does not " prove " things as that is a mathematical concept. Science supports it's theories with overwhelming amounts of converging evidence. That said, the theory of evolution by natural selection has been upheld scientifically for over 150 years and had withstood many tests and challenges. The theory of evolution by natural selection ios the bedrock upon which modern biology is built.


Is there enough evidence for evolution to be true?

Yes, there is. That is why scientists refer to it as a theory, and not just a hypothesis.Various claims are made by critics of evolution; all of these are based on misapplied science and misinterpretation of facts, coupled with bad logic. Competing claims are made using "evidence" from the Bible, which as a religious document, has no application to biological study.


What are some important questions to ask about evolution?

Some important questions to ask about evolution include: How does natural selection work? What evidence supports the theory of evolution? How does genetic variation contribute to evolution? What role do environmental factors play in driving evolution? How does the fossil record provide insights into evolutionary history?