Evolution

Genetic variation is necessary for evolution to occur, as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon. This variation can arise from mutations, genetic recombination, or gene flow.

For a population to diverge, there needs to be barriers preventing gene flow between different groups within the population. This could result from physical barriers, such as mountains or rivers, or behavioral barriers, such as differences in mating preferences. Over time, genetic differences can accumulate between the populations, leading to divergence.

Under natural selection, not all genes are successful, but those which are will progress to the next stage of selection.

Mutations introduce new genetic information to an organism's genetic code, providing more genotypes to create more phenotypes, which can be acted on and potentially more suitable ones to be selected.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a French scientist, was one of the first to propose a comprehensive theory of evolution in the early 19th century. He suggested that organisms can adapt to their environment through the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Paleontology, genetics, molecular Biology, taxonomy, evolutionary development and comparative anatomy, just to name a few.

A theory of origin is a concept or explanation that seeks to describe the beginning or source of something. It provides a framework or perspective to understand the emergence, development, and existence of a particular phenomenon, such as the origin of the universe, life on Earth, or cultural practices. Various disciplines, including science, philosophy, and religion, propose different theories of origin to explore and interpret the underlying principles and causes of diverse phenomena.

Acquired traits are not passed on to offspring because they are not encoded in an organism's DNA. Evolution, which is the change in inherited traits in a population over generations, is driven by genetic variations that are heritable. Acquired traits, such as a scar or a learned behavior, do not alter an organism's genetic makeup and therefore cannot be passed on to future generations to influence evolution.

No (contrary to previous answer to this question)

single base pair mutations, which swap out 1 base for another, say from an A to a G can be a "silent mutation"

This means that the 3base "codon" that codes for an amino acid will still code for the same AA.

AA's have about 3 different codons that will code for it, usually with the difference being in the last base pair.

So for examples lets say AAC and AAT both code for Amino acid X, and the mutation causes the C in sequence AAC to change to a T it becomes AAT, and will still code for amino acid X.... no change in protein structure or function.

Charles Darwin rejected the Scriptures (Bible) and came up with evolution.

Pierre-Louis Moreau believed that the Earth was flat.

Maupertuis believed we got here by "lucky chance".

These are some of the many that believe on evolution. (Hopefully you aren't one of them.)

The only scientific consensus on "the origin of life" is that it arose of organic molecules. Charles Darwin is often cited for this theory but his theory of evolution only dealt with the changes within existing organisms.

There isn't really a single scientist one can name and give credit to for abiogenesis.

Darwin's principle refers to the concept of natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to future generations. This process leads to the gradual evolution of species over time.

Evolution states that a species will change to become more suited to its environment.

Natural selection is survival of the fittest. The newly evolved version of the species is more fit to survive, therefore thriving.

Evolution only deals with the changes within populations of organisms. All other sciences, including Astronomy and Cosmology, are mostly unconcerned with the theory. Otherwise, the theory was, and is, completely sound.

Darwin's theory of evolution was accepted because it provided a coherent explanation for the diversity of life on Earth. His observations and evidence of natural selection as the mechanism driving evolution were supported by fossil records and comparative anatomy. The theory also offered a unifying framework that could explain the adaptation of species to their environment.

No.

Most people do - the cast majority of people accept the principle he expounded in On the Origin of Species.

A small minority of people, mainly fundamentalist Christians, deny the theory of evolution and thus are opposed to Darwin.

The same as the causes of so called macroevolution. The change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms. By mutation, natural selection, genetic drift and gene flow.

I would rip to pieces about half of the biology text books of America over this constant misunderstanding of evolutionary theory they perpetrate.

Natural selection, the method by which evolution works, is driven by the fact that organisms that die before reproducing do not pass on their genes to their offspring and because of this only those that can survive long enough to reproduce will do so and thus populations tend to be filled with those who survive the best in their current environment.

The few bugs that don't die from pesticide reproduce and have (mostly) pesticide-resistant offspring that, in turn, have even more pesticide-resistant offspring.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was the scientist who proposed the theory of acquired characteristics, suggesting organisms could acquire or lose traits during their lifetime through the use or disuse of certain organs. This theory was later replaced by Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

The main stages of human evolution are Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, and Homo sapiens sapiens (modern humans). These stages represent different species in the evolutionary lineage leading to modern humans, with each stage demonstrating key adaptations and evolutionary changes.

Types of evidence that support evolution include fossil records showing transitional forms, comparative anatomy showing similar structures in different species, molecular biology showing similarities in DNA sequences, and the observation of natural selection leading to changes in populations over time.

Yes, the basic mechanisms of evolutionary change, such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, can be observed in nature. These mechanisms drive changes in populations over time, leading to adaptation to different environments and ultimately to the evolution of new species. Multiple studies and observations in fields such as ecology, genetics, and paleontology provide evidence for these mechanisms in action.

Embryological development in animals displays the same set of nested hierarchies that is known from comparative morphology and genetics, and thus evidence for common descent.

Nota bene: this adherence to nested hierarchies is not to be confused with the 19th century hypothesis of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny. Embryos do not go through evolutionary stages during their development, but they dodisplay atavistic developments that are consistent with phylogenies based on other sources.

The mechanisms for evolution. Lamark had a concept called acquired characteristics, an organism " needed " to evolve and any development of the organism, say developed muscles, could be passed on to progeny. Darwin's theory showed all organisms as variants and those with the best adaptions to their environment were reproductively successful and passed these traits on to progeny and over time the population evolved.

Evolution is a scientific process that explains how living organisms have changed and diversified over time. While it may seem complex or surprising, it is a natural and evidence-based phenomenon rather than surreal or mystical.