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Evolution

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

5,264 Questions

What are some ways to prove evolution is wrong?

Evolution, the change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms, is a fact. Show evidence that this does not happen. I think you would find that very difficult to show since change in allele frequency is so easy to observe.

Now, to show that the theory of evolution by natural selection is wrong, you must come up with a better explanation of evolution. So far no one has done that.

Why is Darwin's theory of evolution considered to be a strong theory?

Darwin's three major contributions to evolutionary thought are;

1. There is genetic variation in all species

2. The variability is inherited - passed from parents to offspring

3. There are more offspring born than that survive to reproductive age

What is the status of Darwins theory today?

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is widely accepted in the scientific community and forms the foundation of modern biology. It is supported by abundant evidence from various fields such as genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy. While some aspects of the theory have been refined and expanded upon over time, its core principles remain a fundamental part of our understanding of how life has diversified on Earth.

4 arguments for evolution?

No arguments; evidence.

1. The biochemical and genetic relatedness of all organisms on earth.

2. Biogeography. The distribution of organisms best explained by evolution.

3. Homology. The bones in your arm match almost bone for bone the bones in your dogs forelimb. ( save for structural modifications )

4. The age of the earth and the processes that took place over deep time. Well supported from many disiplines.

What may result from the reproductive separation of two different species?

When two different groups separate enough they can start evolving differently.

This might happen with two groups that separate when a subgroup moves to a different continent for instance.

The subgroup, over time, may begin to evolve in response to conditions in the new place, and the group left behind will not benefit from those changes. However, it might develop more adaptations to its own environment.

How would crossover affect the rate of evolution?

In humans, independent assortment occurs during meiosis, when the 23 pairs of chromosomes divide into 46 individual chromosomes, and 1 chromosome from each of the 23 pairs goes on to form a gamete (haploid cell) which can then be fertilised to produce offspring. The assortment is "independent" because each of the 23 chromosomes that go on to form a gamete can be from either chromosome within a "pair" - ie the 23 pairs of chromosomes are not linked together in any way when it comes to meiosis. This means that a large number of combinations of genetic material is possible - introducing a random result in the gamete.

How did plant hybridization help change this view?

Plant hybridization demonstrated that new varieties could be created by intentionally crossing different plants, challenging the idea that species were fixed and unchangeable. This process allowed scientists to select for desirable traits and improve crop yields, leading to a shift in the understanding of biological diversity and the potential for genetic modification in plants.

When did life on earth begin to evolve?

Scientific evidence suggests that life began on Earth approximately 3.5 billion years ago. The Earth formed 4.5 billion Years ago.

The Earth was a dead planet for about 1 billion years.

Some evidence would suggest that the first forms of life began more like 3.8 billion years ago, in which case the Earth was dead only 700 million years.

The study of the processes which resulted in the beginning of life is called Abiogenesis.

If it worked the same on other planets on other Sun in other galaxies, life may have begin 10 billion years ago in other galaxies.

See related links.

Note also that there are dozens of explanations for the beginning on life on Earth, including many based on religion.

Evidence supporting the theory of evolution is provided by the field of?

The field of genetics provides strong evidence supporting the theory of evolution. Genetic studies show how organisms accumulate and pass on changes in their DNA over generations, illustrating the process of natural selection and genetic variation that drives evolution. Comparing the genetic code of different species can also reveal shared ancestry and evolutionary relationships.

Why do scientists study proteins to find evidence for evolution?

Scientists study proteins to find evidence for evolution because proteins are essential molecules that carry out many functions in living organisms. By comparing the sequences of proteins across different species, scientists can uncover similarities and differences that provide clues about how different species are related and have evolved over time. This can help shed light on the evolutionary history and relationships between species.

Under what circumstances might rapid evolution occur?

Rapid environmental change results in rapid evolutionary change (as long as it doesn't occur too fast, in which case the organsisms will simply die out).

Also the disappearance of the dominant organisms (eg dinosaurs) leaves an empty space in the ecosystem and the remaining organisms will evolve quickly to fill it.

Finally, the release of an animal into a new environment or a domesticated animal into a natural environment results in rapid evolution. Two examples are cane toads in Northern Australia which have evolved longer legs so they can travel further and feral cats in Australia reverting back to their natural state (insanely big and evil-looking) in just 4 generations.

Is the concept of 'survival of the fittest' a circular argument?

No. Because ' survival of the fittest ' is a highly inaccurate concept that is not considered empirically supportable. Fit individuals die; populations evolve by expressing the traits passed on by fit individuals. That fitness is environmentally in context dependent and a phrase like ' survival of the fittest ', while catchy, does not address the true issue of heredity.

What are three theories about the rate of evolution?

I am aware of the following notions regarding the rate of evolution:

  • Gradualism, that the rate of evolution is more or less uniformly gradual.
  • Punctuated equilibria, that evolution is gradual, but punctuated by rapid fluctuations in rate of progression.
  • Saltationism, that new species can emerge instantaneously, from one generation to the next.

Saltationism has, to a certain extent, been disproved as a pattern for evolution, along with gradualism, although saltational events may on occasion still occur, for instance in cases of polyploidy, chromosomal fusion, or radical changes in HOX genes.

What are the differences between a synapomorphy and a homologous trait?

A trait shared by at least two and perhaps more taxa and devolving on common ancestry is synapomorphy. A homologous trait is quite similar. The forelimbs of all tetrapods are devolved from common ancestry and would be traits shared by many taxa and homologous traits. Cladists use the word synapomorphy more to show closer relationships. Pliesiomorphy is the word cladists use to show more ancient relationships.

Where was evolution discovered?

Evolution was not discovered. It started as an explanation by Charles Darwin, in 1838, to explain the differences between animals on the mainland with animals he encountered on islands that were VERY similar with their mainland cousins but had modified traits and characteristics to allow them to survive in environments that their mainland cousins could not.Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species. By the 1870s the scientific community and much of the general public had accepted evolution as a fact. However, many favoured competing explanations and it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed in which natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution. In modified form, Darwin's scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life.

What is different about the jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake?

thousands of years ago, millions of jellyfish were trapped in the lake, when a submerged reef rose from the sea. the jellyfish adapted to their surroundings by losing their sting completely. you can now swim safely with sixteen million jellyfish in jellyfish lake.

What is the proof behind Darwin's theories?

Darwin's theories of evolution by natural selection are supported by a vast amount of evidence from various scientific fields, including paleontology, genetics, comparative anatomy, and biogeography. Fossil records show a progression of life forms over time, genetic studies demonstrate shared ancestry among species, anatomical similarities suggest common descent, and the distribution of species across geographic regions aligns with evolutionary predictions. Additionally, observations of adaptation in living organisms through selective breeding and bacterial resistance further validate the mechanisms proposed by Darwin.

Describe the history of at least 3 major discoveries that led to your current understanding of evolution?

  1. Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection proposed that species evolve over time through the process of "survival of the fittest," shaping the diversity of life on Earth.

  2. Gregor Mendel's experiments with pea plants in the 19th century laid the foundation for the science of genetics, showing how traits are inherited and can change over generations.

  3. The discovery of DNA's structure by Watson and Crick in 1953 revealed the genetic code that drives evolution, linking changes at the molecular level to the diversity of life forms we see today.

What religion are you if you believe in the evolution theory?

Evolutionary theory is a scientific theory, and stands separate from any religious belief, just like one does not have to have or lack any particular religious belief in order to accept gravity or general relativity.

What did Darwin propose by saying that over a long natural selection could lead to?

Darwin proposed that over a long time, natural selection could lead to the gradual change and divergence of species from a common ancestor, resulting in the formation of new species through the process of adaptation to their environment.

Which model of the origin of life is currently considered to be the most accurate?

The RNA world hypothesis is currently considered one of the most plausible models for the origin of life. It suggests that RNA molecules played a key role in the early evolution of life by acting as both genetic material and catalysts for chemical reactions.

What is the ancestor of eukaryotes?

Archaebacteria is probably more likely to be the ancestor of eukaryotes because of certain similarities, such as the ribosome of the two groups being much more similar to each other than the ribosomes of bacteria.

What is a small membrane enclosed sac that specializes in moving products into out of and within a cell?

A small membrane-enclosed sac that specializes in moving products within a cell is called a vesicle. Vesicles can transport molecules between different organelles within the cell or to the cell membrane for secretion.

What are some problems in the theory of evolution?

Some potential problems in the theory of evolution include gaps in the fossil record, the origin of complex structures like the eye, and understanding the mechanisms driving rapid evolutionary changes. Additionally, determining the exact mechanisms of speciation and the role of epigenetics in evolution are ongoing challenges.

How has natural selection affected horses?

Well, since natural selection uses the enviromment as selector we can see through the fossil record what happened to horses. I will cover two major adaption of horses.Proto-horses, when they lived in forests, has toes. The forests retreated and the plains selected horses that were fusing their toes into hooves over many years of mutation and natural selection. Plains running is better done with hooves, unless you are a wolf or lion. Also in the forest proto-horses were small, as befitted a forest environment, but when the forest disappeared long legs were needed to out run predators and those variant horses that developed them over time in the population survived and reproduced progeny with the same traits and these progeny could improve on those traits being variant themselves.