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Evolution

The scientific theory according to which populations change gradually through a process of natural selection.

5,264 Questions

What claims does evolutionary theory make?

The central claims of evolutionary theory are these:

  • That traits are inherited.
  • That lifeforms reproduce with variation in their inherited traits, causing the descendants to be modified versions of the ancestor.
  • That variant descendants compete with one another for resources and mating opportunities.
  • That the ability of variants to compete affects the average number of offspring they may produce.
  • That the above mechanisms can cause and has causeddiverging lineages to come into existence - that modern lifeforms are the product of divergencing lineages stemming from common ancestors.

How does similarities in body structure support evolution?

Similarities in body structure among different species can suggest a common ancestor and evolutionary relationship. These similarities can be explained by the concept of homology, where structures have a common developmental origin despite serving different functions. By comparing anatomical features, scientists can trace the evolutionary history of species and understand how they have adapted over time.

Why do scientists call evolution a theory?

Because it cannot be proven or replicated.

Answer

In science, a hypothesis is a good idea, a possible explanation, which might be right and might be wrong. Hypotheses can be refuted by experimentation. If the expectation from the hypothesis is not met by the outcome of experiment, the hypothesis is refuted. The longer a hypothesis survives unrefuted the more confidence we have in it. Evidence can support a hypothesis. The more evidence one has in support of a hypothesis, the more grows our confidence in it. Within the philosophy of science of Karl Popper, a hypothesis cannot be proven, but one can have a mighty amount of confidence in one, proportional to the amount of evidence in support of it. Unrefuted and with backing evidence, a hypothesis is promoted to a theory! A theory is better than a hypothesis. Evolution has much evidence from comparative genetics, comparative morphology and the fossil record. Evolution was once a hypothesis. Darwin collected a large mass of evidence for On the Origin of Species and now we have evidence from Mendelian genetics and comparative genetics, which Darwin knew nothing of. We now have a greater fossil record than Darwin did. There is far more evidence these days (for what is now called Neodarwinism or the Modern Synthesis- the combination of genetics and Darwin's basic 1859 ideas) than there was in Darwin's time. Evolution now has so much evidence that it is best to call it a theory, rather than a hypothesis. Yes, theories are unproven, but in Popperian philosophy of science they cannot be proven. Theories survive refutation and have much evidence and explain a lot. Biology regards evolution as its baseline, its most important idea ever. It might only be a theory of which we can only be 99% confident, but it explains everything so well that most biologists should better call it a fact rather than a theory. Evolution is such a good theory that its pedantic differentiation from 'fact' is entirely unnecessary.

How do adaptations connect to evolution?

Adaptive change is the province of natural selection and natural selection is one of the main drivers of evolution. Natural selection selects from the individuals variations in a population of organisms on, basically, reproductive success and this adaption is passed on to progeny which changes the allele frequency in the population which is evolution.

How do scientists use embryology to support evolution?

Embryology shows the same thing that all other branches of biology and palaeontology show: a strong convergence of phylogenies based on independent assays of traits, both morphological traits at the various stages of development as well as the developmental paths taken by the various organisms. This can only be explained by common descent.

What is the origin of a new species in evolution?

Speciation
Evolution is the gradual process in which already existing species undergoes in order to have a greater chance of survival. Because Natural Selection takes place, random mutations occur in offsprings, and so new characteristics and attributes are formed. These random mutations may occur because they may have a greater chance of survival or because it would benefit them in some way. For example, the giraffe's long neck came about when it found that it needed a way to obtain leaves from the tops of trees. And so, generation by generation, it's neck slowly lengthened until it was able to do so.

How do adaptations lead to the evolution of new species?

Adaptations that better suit an organism's environment can increase its chances of survival and reproduction. Over time, accumulated adaptations can lead to speciation, as populations evolve to the point where they can no longer interbreed and produce viable offspring with other populations. This process is known as reproductive isolation and is a key factor in the formation of new species.

What caused the greatest increase in diversity of life during the corse of evolution?

The greatest increase in diversity of life during evolution was likely due to the process of speciation, where one species diversifies into multiple new species over time. This can be driven by various factors such as geographic isolation, genetic mutations, and natural selection acting on different populations.

What is the main points of Darwin's theory of evolution?

That all organisms are variations. That there are many more organisms born than can be supported by the available resources. That their is a struggle for existence and some organisms will be better adapted to survive and out reproduce their fellow organisms. That these organisms that do this will leave descendents that have these same characteristics which will change the morphology and behavior in these population of these organisms over time.

How much time have organisms had to change?

Organisms have had approximately 3.5 billion years to evolve and change since the emergence of life on Earth. This long period of time has allowed for the incredible diversity and complexity of life we see today.

What evidence is there for endosymbiotic theory?

One evidence is that both mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own circular piece of DNA that actually codes for a few proteins. This DNA is of the prokaryote type and strongly suggests that the mitochondria and chloroplast were once free living organisms that, one way or another, joined in a symbiotic relationship with a proto eukaryote cell.

What is it called when random evolution that occurs in a small separate subpopulation?

This is known as genetic drift. It refers to the random changes in allele frequencies that can occur within a small population due to chance events.

What is the importance of evolution development?

Evolutionary development helps us understand how species have adapted and changed over time to survive in changing environments. It provides insight into the history of life on Earth and helps us make predictions about how species might change in the future. Studying evolution development also has practical applications in fields like medicine, agriculture, and conservation.

Which statement is not included as a part of the modern theory of evolution?

The statement that all organisms were created in their current form and have not changed over time is not part of the modern theory of evolution. Evolutionary theory explains that organisms have changed and diversified over time through processes like natural selection and genetic variation.

What is the name of the british scientist that developed the evolution theory?

The great Charles Darwin is most credited with the theory of evolution, but there were many before him that had similar ideas, and many people since have advanced the science of evolution.

What is the function of evolution?

The function of evolution is to drive changes in populations of organisms over time, leading to genetic diversity, adaptation to the environment, and ultimately the formation of new species. It allows organisms to better survive and reproduce in their environments through natural selection.

What causes punctuated equilibrium?

Punctuated equilibrium is thought to be caused by periods of rapid evolutionary change followed by long periods of stability. This can occur due to environmental changes, genetic mutations, or other factors that drive natural selection to favor specific traits or adaptations. The theory suggests that species evolve in bursts when faced with significant challenges or opportunities, leading to relatively stable periods in between.

What allows natural selection and evolution to occur?

Natural selection and evolution occur when individuals within a population vary in traits that affect their survival and reproduction. Traits that increase an individual's likelihood of survival and reproduction are passed on to the next generation, leading to the accumulation of beneficial traits in the population over time. This process drives the adaptation of populations to their environments.

How did both Darwin and Wallace fail to understand natural selection?

Both failed to understand the mechanism of inheritance. Darwin had a mistake " blending " idea and Wallace seemed to go along with this concept, though inheritance is particulate.

When and where does evolution take place?

Evolution takes place over long periods of time in natural populations in various environments around the world. It occurs through genetic changes in populations over generations, resulting in the accumulation of adaptations that enhance survival and reproduction.

What role did oxygen play in the evolution of life?

With oxygen the organisms of earth could more efficiently use food because as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain oxygen is a main player in the conversion of, say, glucose into many ATP molecules per glucose molecule. Oxygen is the most efficient way to do this compared to fermentation which is anaerobic.

Thus organisms became multicellular and much more complex with energy to become motile to a greater degree than before.

How does sexual reproduction lead to variety in a species?

Sexual reproduction leads to variety in the gene pool because the genome of an offspring organism may have a mixture of the genomes of both parents, rather than just the material of a single parent. Evolution in asexually reproducing organisms occurs by mutation, rather than genetic variation, since there is only one parent.

What does it mean when it states that evolution is just a theory?

Evolution is a fact. The theory of evolution by natural selection is what you are trying to talk about.

When someone says " evolution is just a theory " they are using the vulgar, common sense of the word theory. They mean guess, hunch and the like. The theory of evolution by natural selection is in the scientific sense of the word theory, which means a body of explanatory work supported by myriad lines of converging evidence that has been tested rigouusly and replicated often. Any good dictionary uses this scientific meaning of theory as the primary meaning of the word.

What comes first the snake or the mouse in evolution?

Ill posed question.

Since populations evolve and can have many different and changing strategies for survival and reproductive success, some variant within the population, tour question does not make any sense. Evolution is not linear, but branching from many, many points of departure.