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Evolution
The scientific theory according to which populations change gradually through a process of natural selection.
5,264 Questions
What is the age of the Earth in Charles Darwin's theory?
Evolutionary theory does not necessarily propose an age for the Earth. Although it does suggest that it should have existed for a minimum of a few hundred million years, to allow for the biological diversity that we find today. It is geology that establishes a timeframe for the formation of Earth. Through geological dating methods, it has been established that the Earth is approximately 4.55 billion years old.
What was principle point of the Darwin theory of evolution?
Evolution is the change in allele frequency due to non random survival and reproduction.
All organisms on Earth extant or extinct were descended from a common ancestor. This is the fact of evolution. The theory of evolution explains the mechanism of how this came to be. There are many driving forces of evolution, these include natural selection, genetic drift, recombination, mutation, migration. To keep it simple, I will explain natural selection only.
Natural selection is the differential survival of genes. Organisms make more offsprings than can survive, due to limiting factors such as food. There is variation amongst organisms, some better equipped to survive in particular environments, some less so. Thus there is a non random survival, where the better adapted individuals on average produce more offsprings than their competition, passing more of their advantageous genes to the next generation, thus evolution occurs.
How does new species arise? When a group of organisms have been isolated by a geographical barrier, or any barrier that prevents them from interbreeding, the two populations diverge and natural selection drives them to adapt to their respective environments, accumulating differences in their genomes in the form of mutations. When enough differences have accumulated, even when the two groups of organisms reunite, their genes would be too different to be able to reproduce. Thus, they became two species.
Abstract evolution is a concept that refers to the way in which biological traits in a population change over time due to natural selection, genetic drift, and other mechanisms. It embodies the idea of gradual change and adaptation in response to environmental pressures. This concept forms the foundation of modern evolutionary theory.
How did Charles Darwin explain the mechanism for evolution?
He did not and could not. Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" was published in late 1859, Mendel published "Experiments in Plant Hybridization" in 1865 (6 years later) which might have led Darwin into r question in this areas, but his theories were not widely embraced until the 1900s. Nucleic Acids were not studied completely until 1950s.
Added:
The mechanism for evolution is natural selection. Charles Darwin had trouble explaining the mechanism of heredity.
Applied theory of biological evolution to society?
In the context of society, the theory of biological evolution can be applied to understand social behaviors and cultural changes as adaptive responses to environmental pressures. For example, memes, values, and social norms can evolve through imitation, selection, and transmission, analogous to genetic evolution. By applying evolutionary theory to society, we can gain insights into the dynamics of social change, cooperation, competition, and the emergence of complex social structures.
What must occur for a population to decrease?
This could be anything, from earthquakes to migration to floods to disease, and so on, and so forth. In nature, population sizes naturally fluctuate even without such events, due to changes in the availability of resources, predation, and so on.
Why do new species form on new islands?
New species can form on new islands due to isolation and unique environmental conditions that create opportunities for adaptation and specialization. Over time, genetic changes and natural selection can lead to the development of distinct traits that differentiate the new species from their ancestors on the mainland. This process, known as adaptive radiation, allows species to fill ecological niches and exploit new resources, ultimately diversifying the island's biodiversity.
Does the theory of evolution necessarily question religious beliefs?
No, the theory of evolution deals with scientific explanations for the diversity of life on Earth, while religious beliefs focus on matters of faith and spirituality. Many religious individuals and organizations have found ways to reconcile their beliefs with the theory of evolution.
Who was the scientist who make the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin is the scientist who proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859. His work revolutionized the field of biology and our understanding of how species change over time.
What would happen if every species evolved to be perfect?
In the simplest possible terms: there's no such thing.
Evolution drives populations to adapt to changing circumstances. Even if you have a species that's more or less ideally adapted to the environment it lives in, there's no telling when that environment might change, making the current state less than ideal.
Also, evolution doesn't "strive" to achieve perfection. Evolution is about what organisms manage to produce just barely more offspring than the others. If a less "perfect" organism somehow manages to out-breed the rest, that'll still be the more common type in the next generations.
How the gradualism model of evolution differs from the punctuated equilibrium model of evolution?
The gradualism model of evolution suggests that evolution occurs slowly and continuously over long periods of time through accumulation of small, incremental changes. In contrast, the punctuated equilibrium model proposes that evolution occurs in rapid bursts of change followed by long periods of stasis, with new species appearing suddenly in the fossil record.
Why did people not accept Darwin's theory?
Because he was an pedophile and had a bad reputation in the19th century as time got on we accepted this and started focussing on the theory and through further research many started agreeing with his theory and he thought monkeys where people because he shagged one and it gave birth to a primate that could talk and stuff, sorry i was joking about that last bit, that's the talking bit.
What are the examples of evolution happening today?
There are no examples of 'evolution' happening today. People look at a type of bird in England then a bird in Hawaii. It's the same type of bird, but they look different. Unfortunately, many people's answer is,"Evolution!". The truth is, the birds probably flew there, laid some eggs, and began to adapt to the weather. Naturally, you wear different clothes in Europe than in the tropics. Adaption, not evolution is the answer.
Answer:
There are numerous examples of present day evolution. The most common is the ability of microbes and bacteria to evolve to not be treatable by old antibiotics.
On a larger scale we have only recently (3,000 years or so) evolved the ability to digest milk when we are adults. This mutation occurred independently in both Africa and Europe.
Even more recently some populations in Africa are developing an increasing ability to resist AIDS. Again because the people with the changes to allow them to survive are surviving and passing on inheritable traits.
What is the definition for the scientific term 'communicating'?
Communicating in a scientific context refers to the process of transmitting information between individuals, organisms, or systems through various means such as signals, chemicals, or behaviors. It plays a crucial role in facilitating interactions, cooperation, and coordination among different entities in nature.
What is the evolution controversy?
The controversy regarding evolution is the debate about the validity of the scientific model sparked by the inability of various religious groupings to reconcile this scientific teaching with their religious views. This controversy is not a scientific one, but exists solely in the minds of those who would seek to suppress the teaching of scientific models that conflict with their beliefs.
What is the definetion of evolution?
Evolution is the process by which living organisms change and adapt over time through variations in traits that are passed on from one generation to the next. This process occurs as a result of natural selection, genetic mutation, and other mechanisms that allow species to better fit their environment.
Why do people believe in the theory of evolution?
Answer 1
Because they accept the myriad of evidence that underlines the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.
Answer 2
Because they relied on evidences, observations, experiments. These are the basic premises of sciences. For an idea to be called a 'theory' in science required more evidences and tests, etc. A theory in science means more than what most lay people realize. A hypothesis in science is closer to what lay people think of as a 'theory' in daily usage. So when you hear the Theory of Evolution, there is substantial evidence behind it, just like there is for the Theory of Relativity or Theory of Gravitation.
On the other hand, just because something has lots of evidence behind it does not mean it's correct. However, it takes a lot of counter-evidence to overturn a theory. Remember, it took a long time and substantial evidence to change the theory that the earth was not the center of the universe.
What is a sentence with the word biological evolution?
>The structural and well-organised gradual process of change means 'biological evolution'.
>Variation and heridity are two basic factors of evolution.
>In long term.evolution leads to existence of new species which have different characteristics than their ancestors.
How do artificial and natural selection contribute to biological diversity?
Artificial selection is controlled by humans and involves selecting specific traits in organisms for breeding, while natural selection is driven by environmental factors. Both processes result in the accumulation of genetic variations over time, contributing to biological diversity by allowing species to adapt and evolve to changing conditions. Artificial selection can be more rapid and targeted, while natural selection is a result of the survival and reproduction of the fittest individuals in a given environment.
What process causes evolution?
Evolution is driven by natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutations. These processes lead to changes in the genetic makeup of populations over generations, resulting in the accumulation of adaptations that help species survive and reproduce in their environment.
What is the particular species that come and go in the process on succesion depend on?
The particular species that come and go in the process of succession depend on factors such as soil quality, climate conditions, availability of resources, and interactions with other species present in the ecosystem. These factors determine which species are able to establish and thrive in a given environment at different stages of succession.
What are the arguments for and against evolution?
The arguments for evolution are easy to sum up: virtually every observation in the scientific disciplines of biology and palaeontology.
The arguments against require a more nuanced approach. Many have been made, but on cursory inspection, they almost invariably appear to be based on misinformation, misconception, misrepresentation, misquoting or quote-mining, or willful ignorance. The least factually inaccurate (though still not in any way compelling) arguments against evolution so far are all in the category "we don't know yet, so evolution must be wrong."
Answer:
This answer is from a Creation-standpoint and not accepted as factual by most scientists. Creationists hold that:
1) The lack of transitional fossils has been noted by evolutionists, such as this statement from the famous paleontologist and evolutionist George G. Simpson; quote: "The regular lack of transitional fossils is not confined to primates alone, but is an almost universal phenomenon."
2) Instances of falsifying of evidence by evolutionists, such as Haeckel's drawings and Piltdown Man.
3) Creationists see the "survival of the fittest" and the dating of rock layers by fossils as being perfect tautologies.
4) The fact that some qualified, educated, normal scientists do not believe in evolution.
5) The fact that there is a shared, worldwide tradition among every ancient society that the world was created.
6) Evolving of new species has not been witnessed during known history.
7) Mutations are harmful, not beneficial. One of the tasks of DNA and of long-term breeding is to avoid or repair any changes brought about by mutations.
8) Mutations, even if beneficial, do not create new organs.
9) The fact that a great number of fossils have been found in the "wrong" rock-layers according to what evolutionary paleontology would require.
10) The fact that you need DNA to make DNA.
11) The problem of the impossibility of abiogenesis.
12) The fact that evolution was once used as support for the belief that Blacks (or others) are less than highly-evolved humans.
Who is Darwin and what is his theory?
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection. His theory suggests that species evolve over time through the process of natural selection, where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.
