Why do you now accept that Darwin rather than lamarck was correct?
Introduction: On the Philosophy & Metaphysics of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution
For thousands of years many philosophers had argued that life must have been created by a supernatural being / creator / God due to the incredible complexity of Nature (in particular, we humans and our minds). Thus it is remarkable that Charles Darwin (and others) were able to explain our existence by means of Evolution from Natural Selection - which is very obvious once understood.
Below you will find a brief summary of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution and some interesting quotes from Darwin on Evolution, Natural Selection, Science, Humanity, God and Religion.
When thinking about evolution, it is important to take a further step and ask, 'What is evolving?' As this website explains, there is a simple and obvious explanation of what exists and thus how we can understand the metaphysical foundations of Evolution. See Evolution-Metaphysics webpage.
We hope you enjoy the following quotes and browsing around this website. We have a wonderful collection of knowledge from many of the greatest minds of human history - and most importantly can provide a simple sensible explanation for most of them!
Cheers,
Geoff Haselhurst, Karene Howie
Although I am fully convinced of the truth of the views given in this volume I by no means expect to convince experienced naturalists whose minds are stocked with a multitude of facts all viewed, during a long course of years, from a point of view directly opposite to mine. But I look with confidence to the future to young and rising naturalists, who will be able to view both sides of the question with impartiality. (Charles Darwin)
What type of growth do populations show that have no limiting factors?
exponential. let's say you have a bacterium that will divide every hour under optimal conditions. After an hour you have 2, two hours later, 4 , and after n hours you have 2 to the nth power. After 10 hours you have 1024, after 20 hours, over a million, at 30 hours you have over a billion (a milliard if you're a brit) and at 40 hours you have over a trillion (billion if you're a brit). You would also have to get rid of waste, since they often poison critters.
How does the study of fossils represent the evolution of species over geological time?
The study of fossils represent the evolution of species by the time period between when they became fossils and what the ancestory line is
True. That is the definition of evolution.
2 places on earth where organic molecules could have been synthesized?
it's between A. amino acids or B. monosaccharides C.fatty acids or D.phospholipids
How does crossing over affect the genetic diversity of a species?
in crossing over the gens present on chromosomes forms linkage so the character are exchange & thus it lead to recombination of genes that affect genetic diversity
What evolutionary force causes adaptive evolution?
Adaptive evolution is caused by natural selection.
Natural selection means that some individuals leave more offspring than others. On average, the individuals which are best adapted to their environment will survive and leave more offspring than others.
In this way the genes for the useful adaptations will become more common and genes for less useful characteristics will become less common ie the species will become better adapted to its environment.
See this excellent website:
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/0_0_0/evo_14
How does observed evolutionary change support the scientific theory of evolution?
The theory predicts that evolution will happen and in certain ways. The observed evolution makes this prediction correct. It also defines evolution as happening, and as such is perfect evidence in support of it.
What three word phrase summarizes Darwin's mechanism of evolution?
Darwin used the phrase "descent with modification" (he didn't use the term "evolution")
Why is variation important for natural selection and what are the main sources of this variation?
Without variation natural selection would have nothing to select from that would confer survivability and reproductive success. on the organisms being selected against the organisms conspecifics and the immediate environment.
Mutation and sexual recombination provide the main sources of this variation that is needed to make selection work. Mutation is the variation presented that causes the real adaptive change that can lead to speciation.
An example of
adaptive radiation is Darwin finches, found in Galapagos Island. A large variety of finches is present in Galapagos Island that arose from a single species, which reached
this land accidentally. As a result, many new species have evolved, diverged, and
adapted to occupy new habitats. These finches have developed different eating habits
and different types of beaks to suit their feeding habits.
What is the ancestor of the pigeon?
An interestingly phrased question, we can never be sure of ancestry, but if you mean taxonomically; Pigeons are grouped in with some 310 species of pigeons and doves in a group of "near-passerines" called the Columbidae.
They, along with all other modern birds (Neornithes) are taxonomically seperated from other ancient bird lineages following the discovery of the fossil: Vegavis - which is not a direct ancestor (that's not what fossils are) more, it is evidence that at that time 65 million years ago, this group of neornithes were diversifying and forming the beginnings of the groups we see today - for example the Vegavis fossil itself resembles a modern day duck, but it is not the "ancestor" of the clade - we cannot be certain of that, but we can make an educated guess that whatever is the ancestor, probably looked a lot like that and was around at that time.
[If you're interested in the deeper, earlier ancestry of all birds, for a full explanation on the current theories and debate surrounding the origins of birds, Wikipedia is probably a good starter (see the related links).]
Over time, natural selection results in changes in the inherited characteristics of a population. These changes increase a species' fitness in its environment. Natural selection cannot be seen directly; it can only be observed as changes in a population over many successive generations.
Do humans descend from gorillas?
No, we are not descended from chimps, and no one believes that we are.
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It's an interesting question, since all life on earth comes from the first living organisms on the planet. Therefore, you could say that we are related to chimps, as we probably have a common ancestor, however we don't "descend" from them.
If you are interested in evolution I recommend reading Darwin's "Origin of species".
What is a group of species that includes a single common ancestor and all descendents?
Unless life evolved multiple times on Earth all species share a common ancestor with each other. The list is for all practical purposes limitless.
Humans and wolves
Guinee Pigs and Wales
Cock Roaches and Mice
and so on.....
How can natural selection work to keep a harmful allele in a population?
According to science, natural selection helps suppress harmful changes in species by slowly making adaptations. These adaptations are necessary for the ongoing of the species. Without the changes, the species could become extinct.
What are the major evolutionary trends among the metazoan invertebrate phyla?
Perhaps the most significant evolutionary trend among the metazoan invertebrate phyla is that of cephalization. This term refers to the development of a head, containing a brain. Another process called segmentation allowed animals to develop distinct body parts, such as legs, wings and feelers.
Which of the following is an example of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection?
Assuming you mean evolution. Virtually every living species on this planet has evolved over time and the fossil record demonstrates this to an amazing degree.
How did bacteria first develop on earth?
God created it along with everything else in the universe.
The scientific would be that they developed from single-celled organisms; some scientists even believe that some bacteria may have arrived from space. No one really knows for sure, though simple life has been created in the laboratory by the introduction of electricity (such as a lightning bolt might provide) to a chemical "stew" similar to what is presumed to have existed early in this planet's history.
Sound science does not necessarily preclude the existence of a "Creator", but we can be absolutely sure that Genesis, and other creation stories, are nothing more than attempts by early humans to explain existence, and are not factual blow-by-blow accounts.
What do stabilizing selection and directional selection have in common?
They both decrease genetic variation .
Is genetic diversity beneficial?
When all the organisms are exact genetic copies, you don't have diversity. Additionally they would all appear as identical twins. If you are talking about a food crop if a bacterial, fungal disease strikes, they may all succumb. We would be left without that food. When there is diversity, some of the organisms are resistant. The resistant organisms survive and pass the resistance on to future generations. The resistant organisms also serve as a buffer. The resistant organism doesn't come down with and, therefore, spread the condition.
How can mutations over millions of years lead to new species?
Mutations lead to all sorts of variation in organisms and natural selection selects the best able to adapt to the immediate environment by becoming reproductively successful. Thus alleles change over time in populations of organisms and evolution occurs. One; anagenesis. Where a species just evolves so much that it becomes another species. ( rare and controversial ) Cladogenesis. Where species are split asunder by physical or behavioral reasons and split into two different species.
What knowledge did Darwin lack that modern scientists now use to explain evolution?
Modern scientists now use genetics to help explain the theory of natural selections.
importance of embryology is shows how different cells are organized to form embryo and how each cell and tissues shows modification according to their functional demands.
Knowledge of embryology is gaining importance in diagnosis of certain diseases like cancers.
Geographic isolation causes the environments to separate. The members of each side will be separated and gradually become more and more distinct as time goes. Eventually, when they are unable to interbreed, that is evidence of speciation.