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Evolution

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

5,264 Questions

Where did evolution occur?

Evolution has occurred all over the world, in various environments and ecosystems. It is a continuous process that has shaped the diversity of life on Earth over millions of years. From the oceans to the mountains, from tropical rainforests to polar regions, evolution has left its mark everywhere.

How are genes mutations adaptations and natural selection related in the process of evolution?

Mutation occurs at a rate of one for every ten million cell duplications. This is an insignificant number when compared to 100 trillion cells in a human body. Thus, the chance of having a couple of cells with a mutated form for every gene is possible without any noticeable effect. The reproduction system is a simple and powerful information system within the DNA molecule and it is a very stable system for transmitting that information. Mutations are very rare.

Researchers have by means of genetic breeding, changed a two-wing fruit fly into a four-wing fruit fly. The four-wing fruit fly consistently reproduces four-winged fruit flies. But although a new species has been produced, it is not a new "kind." The mutant fruit fly is still a fruit fly. As a matter of fact, the four-winged fruit fly is a weakened form. The second set of wings does not help the fruit fly; they actually get in the way. Its ability to take flight is dangerously hindered. Having been selectively bred in the laboratory, this species will also not survive without the caring assistance of researchers. This is a poor example of evolution by mutation. The bottom line is that mutations always weaken an organism and never change it into something else. The fruit fly remains a fruit fly.

Beneficial Mutations

Sickle Cell Anemia is often presented as an example of a favorable mutation. This is because red blood cells carry a sickle cell hemoglobin mutation that resists malaria. Although it resists malaria, 25 percent of those who have this mutant gene can still get the disease. Many have a hard time calling this a beneficial mutation when it brings with it a 25 percent chance of death. Sickle cell anemia causes a sickle shape hemoglobin molecule that bonds to another producing an enlarged molecular structure that cannot pass through the capillary walls. This condition occurs when the oxygen supply is low. How can a diseased hemoglobin molecule that was processed with incorrect information in the DNA be called a benefit to any body? This defect itself can kill a person.

No New Information

A basic information principle must be violated for evolution to be true. For an organism to evolve upward from simple to complex there must be an increase of genetic information. When mutations take place, however, there is an exchange of information or misinformation, but never an increase. The system is limited to what it has and therefore cannot create new codes. Most frequently, information exchange leads to a loss of information.

Apes to Humans?

An ape could, theoretically, mutate into a man by changing just one percent of his DNA. While the claim of a one percent DNA difference between man and ape is controversial and highly debatable, one might conclude, if we assume the claim to be true, that evolutionists have a point. One must remember, though, that all mutations have to be in exactly the same order as a human person's genome. It is estimated that one million mutations are required for every one percent difference. Moreover, all the mutations must occur exactly where the two genomes differ. How can one have a million mutations when each mutation has to be in the exact sequence to make a human? It's impossible. George Simpson, a well-known paleontologist and ardent evolutionist, estimated that it would take 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 chances to get five mutations in the exact order. Simpson concludes that simultaneous mutations as a process observed today had no part in evolution.

Why is evolution not observable or testable?

Answer 1

It is observable and testable.
Evolution even occurs in the electronics we use every day. What did cell phones look like in 1980? What do they look like now? They have evolved.


Answer 2

1. In science, to say that hypothesis is testable means to say that the hypothesized principle should logically result in certain things being observed here and now. For instance, if a meteorite impacted the Earth 65 million years ago, then we should logically expect to find a thin layer with an increased concentration of Iridium at a depth corresponding with that age. To find such a layer means a confirmation for the hypothesis, increasing the likelihood that it is accurate ('true'). The absence of such a layer would mean a significant decrease of the likelihood that it is accurate (ie. it would have been falsified).

2. The word 'evolution', in the context of the life sciences, refers to two things:

  • The observed phenomenon of shifting allele frequencies in population gene pools. This can be directly observed.

  • The theory of evolution, which incorporates the fundamental theses of descent with modification, natural selection and common descent.

    Descent with modification is observationally verified.

    Natural selection has also been observationally verified on small scales (within minor taxa, on the human timescale). One can reasonably infer that the mechanism that directs evolution on these scales is the same mechanism that directs the evolution of divergent taxa from a common ancestor on larger scales. Hypotheses about specific evolutionary pressures on these scales can also be tested against observations in genomics.

    Common descent is observationally verified on small scales (within minor taxa) and is testable on the larger scale (between major taxa), yielding specific predictions about observations in comparative genomics and morphology.

To sum it up: yes, evolution is both observable and testable.

Why can evolution not take place in the lifetime of one individual?

Because we adapt to long term environmental conditions only where it is required for us to survive as a species with small changes each generation and a generation can be a decade for humans. We can see minor changes going back to the 40's/50's.

It was once proposed, by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, that individual organisms might, through habit, acquire genetic traits that they would then pass on to offspring, so that they would genetically inherit the products of their ancestor's habit. Giraffes might for instance inherit a longer neck because of the habit of continuous stretching-of-the-neck that their parents developed to get at higher leaves.

But no evidence was ever found of this inheritance of acquired traits (although epigenetics do show something similar to this), and the hypothesis had to be abandoned in favour of Charles Darwin's thesis: that populations evolve because of natural selection acting on the inherited traits of individuals within the population; traits that only vary as they are passed from parent to offspring.

What are the processes of co-evolution?

Organisms evolve in tandem with one's adaptions driving the evolution of the other organism. For instance, rabbits are variations and some rabbits are born very fast indeed and leave these traits to progeny. Now foxes are also variations and the fastest fox is the fox that catches the rabbit that is representative of the rabbit population. So, fast rabbits drive the evolution of fast foxes and conversely, foxes drive rabbit evolution. Until the physical constraints are met. This is a simplified explanation as there are many fox and rabbit traits under selection pressure at the same time.

How does endosymbiosis play a role in the evolution of prokaryotes to eukaryoteAsk us anything?

Endosymbiosis is a theory that explains how prokaryotic cells evolved into eukaryotic cells by forming symbiotic relationships with other prokaryotic cells. This process led to the development of organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts within eukaryotic cells. Endosymbiosis helped eukaryotic cells gain new functions and capabilities, contributing to their complexity and diversity.

What does Population Isolation means?

Population isolation refers to a situation in which certain members of a species are physically separated from the rest of the population, leading to limited gene flow between the groups. This can result in the development of unique genetic characteristics and eventual speciation.

Did Charles Darwin has scientific proof of his evolution theory?

Scientists did not prove things then anymore than they prove things now. Evidence, masses of converging evidence support the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin, in his day, had much evidence to support his theory. All the way from artificial selection to island biogeography. Since that time the theory has moved on to where it is no longer just Darwin's theory, but modified and supported with so much evidence that the theory became the bedrock of biology. Go here.

talkorigins.org

What does form follows function have to do with evolution?

"In biology, form follows function means that the structure of an organism is closely related to its function or purpose. This principle applies to evolution because natural selection acts on the functional benefits of traits, shaping organisms' forms to better suit their environments and improve their chances of survival and reproduction."

What can help provide evidence for the theory of evolution?

The evidence for evolution stems from a broad set of independent lines of research, from zoology to embryology, from molecular biology to comparative genomics, from palaeontology to behavioural studies.

However, people are not now actively seeking to prove or disprove the fundamental theses of evolutionary theory. These are already so well-established that one need have no qualms about using them as assumptions in further hypotheses. So most of the research going on in evolutionary biology is research into peripheral theses and phenomena: the construction of more precise phylogenetic trees in cladistics, the construction of more precise models of natural selection and drift in population genetics, and so on.

That doesn't mean the fundamental theses of evolutionary theory aren't being tested any more, though: every new bit of data that becomes available must still be consistent with these fundamental theses, or raise doubt about their accuracy. The theory is therefore being tested with every new finding, whether the research intends to test it or not, and so far is still confirmed by just as many new findings.

What is an organisms that suited to its environment?

An organism that is suited to its environment exhibits traits and characteristics that help it thrive in its surroundings. These traits could include adaptations like camouflage, protective coloration, mimicry, or specialized body structures that aid in survival, reproduction, or obtaining resources. Overall, an organism that is well-suited to its environment is able to effectively compete for resources, evade predators, and successfully reproduce, ensuring its continued survival.

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 is the important concepts that teacher is emphasizing evolution of man?

The important concepts emphasized in the evolution of man include natural selection, adaptation through time, shared ancestry with other species, and the fossil record as evidence of human evolution. Teachers highlight how genetic mutations lead to variation and how the environment influences which traits are passed on through generations, shaping the evolution of modern humans. They also emphasize the gradual changes in physical and behavioral characteristics that define human evolution over millions of years.

Why is overproduction necessary for evolution?

If all offspring could be supported comfortably by the available resources, then there would be less selection on fitness. Selection works, in part, because the limitations on available resources make it so that some offspring will be able to obtain more for themselves, and therefore produce more offspring themselves, than other variants.

Of course the limitation on resources isn't the only factor in selection. Predation and disease also feature importantly. And even if no overproduction of offspring exists in the population, those will still tend to reduce reproductive fitness in some variants.

What is meant by greater fitness in darwinian evolution?

Better adaptions in the immediate environment leading to greater reproductive success.

All organisms in a population are variations and in the immediate environment some organisms are better suited to survive and reproduce against their conspecifics. They have greater fitness.

What is the gist of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution?

Darwin's theory of evolution, known as natural selection, proposes that species evolve over time through the process of genetic variation, adaptation to the environment, and differential reproductive success. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on those traits to their offspring, leading to changes in the population over generations.

What mechanism is responsible for the sequencing of amino acids?

The sequencing of amino acids in a protein is determined by the order of nucleotides in the gene that codes for that protein. During protein synthesis, the sequence of nucleotides in messenger RNA (mRNA) is translated into the sequence of amino acids. This process is carried out by the ribosome and transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules.

What biological sciences support Darwin's theory of evolution?

The better question would be; what biological sciences DO NOT support Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Evolution is the backbone of biology and the theory that explains much about evolution is the bedrock on which all biology is built, regardless of the apparent absence in some disciplines of biology.

It is no longer just Darwin's theory as many disciplines not formed then, and some extant then, have added to and refined the theory.

Genetics

Molecular cell biology.

Evolutionary developmental biology.

Biochemistry.

Geology.

Paleontology.

Population generics.

Botany.

Evolutionary biology.

And the list can go on.

Google, disciplines in biology, wiki.

How are organisms related to evolution?

Organisms are related to evolution through the process of natural selection. Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations, which occurs as a result of natural selection acting on heritable traits. Organisms that possess advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring, leading to changes in the population over time.

What is diffrince between adaptations and acquired characteristics?

Adaptations are inherited traits that help an organism survive and reproduce in its environment, developed over generations through natural selection. Acquired characteristics are traits that an organism develops during its lifetime in response to environmental factors or experiences, and are not passed on to offspring. Adaptations are genetic and heritable, while acquired characteristics are not.

What is the selection process called in DEVGRU?

The selection process in DEVGRU is called Green Team. It is a highly rigorous and challenging selection course designed to assess candidates' physical and mental abilities, as well as their operational skills and team dynamics. Only a small percentage of candidates successfully complete the Green Team selection process.

Is eviromenntal changes drive reprodution a natural selection?

Yes, environmental changes can drive variations in reproductive success, which is a key component of natural selection. Individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. This process helps shape the evolution of species over time.

Does evolution always involve speciation?

No, speciation is not a logically necessary consequenceof natural selection. However, given that circumstances can and inevitably will lead to divergence between sub-populations of a species, speciation can be said to be a practically inevitable consequence of evolution. It's a bit like balancing a sharp pencil on its point. Theoretically it can be done. In practice, however, the pencil will fall over the second you let it go.

When do scientists think that life started?

Scientists currently think that life got started between 3.8 and 3.5 billion years ago, probably less than a billion year after the formation of the Earth. It is certain that life existed by 2.7 billion years ago.

Who disagreed with Darwin's theory of evolution?

One of the most prominent names to object to (parts of) Darwin's proposals was Richard Owen. Other than him, objections came mostly from religious corners. Acceptance of Darwin's hypotheses was very broad right from the start.

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