answersLogoWhite

0

🧪

Evolution

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

5,264 Questions

The theory that evolution occurs during short periods of rapid change is puntuated?

The theory that evolution occurs during short periods of rapid change is punctuated equilibrium. This theory suggests that most species remain relatively unchanged for long periods, with bursts of significant change happening over short periods of time. This contrasts with the gradualism theory, which proposes that evolution occurs at a slow and constant rate.

How do scientists know that evolution is true?

The word 'evolution' can be used to indicate two things:

  • The phenomenon of evolution, ie. the changing of allele frequencies in population gene pools (or, as Darwin originally put it, descent with modification).
  • The theory of evolution, ie. the model that explains the diversity of life in terms of what we know about evolution, population genetics, and so on.

We know the phenomenon of evolution exists because we can see it happening.

As for the theory, there the evidence consists of a multitude of independent lines of observation, all pointing in the same direction:

  • That modern lifeforms stem from a shared ancestry.
  • That an important guiding force of evolution is natural selection.

Common ancestry is demonstrated true by the nested hierarchies we find everywhere in life: in morphology, in genetics, in molecular biology, in embryology, in behavioural studies, etc. Basically, these observations show us that every group of organisms inherited its characteristics from a larger, more basal group, with a few unique changed added. This pattern is exactly what we would expect to find if common descent were true. Specific predictions can be made based on the general pattern, which can then be tested against detailed observations. Common ancestry is also demonstrated by the fossils we find: these show a progressing divergence of forms, starting out from the most basal forms, and then diverging towards more modern forms. The fossil record also provides numerous transitional forms, that are representative of intermediaries between basal forms and more modern forms.

Natural selection is observed in nature, and can be readily tested in the lab. Not only do we see natural selection acting upon populations now, but we can also make predictions about what we should find in the genomes of various organisms if natural selection had acted upon certain traits in the past - and then test those predictions against the actual genomes.

So that's how we know evolution is true.

Why does evolution only occurs in a population of organisms?

Being in a population is what causes interactions between an organism and another. So it's the interspecific (between different species) and intraspecific (between the same species) interactions that cause evolutionary pressure. The main types of interactions are competition, mutualism, and parasitism. If the organism were just in a world by itself, it would have absolutely no need to evolve. That's because it would be able to get all the food and resources it needs and wants. So again, it's the interaction between organisms that really counts.

Did Thomas Malthus propose a theory of evolution?

Thomas Malthus' work originated around population statistics and how they are affected by different factors. His work was instrumental for Darwin and Wallace's proposal of natural selection.

Just to add, no he did not propose a theory of evolution.

Are there many Scientists who believe in God and evolution?

Yes, but they tend to be religious liberals and treat the Genesis stories (there are two of them, actually, back to back) as allegorical rather than literal. Also, the Roman Catholic Church has made peace with the discrepancies between a literal interpretation of Genesis and the evidence of evolution.

What are the three fields that collaborate today to explain evolution?

The three fields that collaborate to explain evolution are genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy. Genetics studies the role of DNA in inherited traits, paleontology examines the fossil record for evidence of past life forms, and comparative anatomy compares the physical structures of different species to infer evolutionary relationships.

What is the model for slow changes of evolution over time?

The model for slow changes of evolution over time is known as gradualism. This model proposes that evolution occurs gradually through small, incremental changes in species over long periods of time, resulting in the development of new species. This contrasts with the theory of punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution can also occur through rapid bursts of change followed by long periods of stability.

What are the characteristics of evolution?

Evolution is the change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms.

Natural selection, the adaptive driver of evolution, is the nonrandom survival and reproductive success of randomly varying organisms.

Sure you did not mean the conditions under which this process happens? If so, let me know.

What was lamarck's incorrect hypothesis regarding inheritance?

Lamarck's incorrect hypothesis regarding inheritance....

Lamarck did not know how traits were inherited (Traits are passed through genes)

Genes are not changed by activities in life. They change through mutation occurs before an organism is born.

Survival of the fittest is the theme for natural selection?

"Survival of the fittest" is a term associated with natural selection, where individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation, while those with less favorable traits may not survive or reproduce as successfully. This process leads to the gradual adaptation of species to their environment over time.

Why are required traits not directly related to the process of evolution?

Acquired traits.

Because evolution is the change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms and acquired traits, such as muscles built by working out, can not be inherited genetically ( by alleles ) so are not " hard " inheritance. Some things like methylation of genes are passed epigenetically, but this does not quite qualify as acquired traits.

The only traits that can lead to natural selection and evolution are traits that?

increase an organism's chance of survival and reproduction in a specific environment. Traits that are heritable can be passed on to offspring and accumulate in a population over time through the process of natural selection, leading to evolution.

How long will the live span of humans be in 2050?

The average life span of humans in 2050 is projected to be around 80-85 years, depending on various factors such as advancements in medical technology, lifestyle choices, and access to healthcare.

Does hemophilia skip a generation?

Haemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disorder - which means it can skip a generation, but only if it is carried in the female line.

A female can be a carrier of haemophilia, but a male cannot. This is because males only have one X chromosome, so if they have a defective X they will have the disorder. If a father has haemophilia, all of his daughters will also have haemophilia.

Can evolution be measured?

Yes, evolution can be measured through changes in traits, genes, or populations over time. This can be done through comparative studies, genetic analysis, or observing how species adapt to their environment.

Process by which organisms acquire and pass on novel traits through generations?

This process is called evolution by natural selection. Organisms with advantageous traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass on those traits to their offspring, leading to changes in a population over time. These changes can result in the emergence of new species.

Is the base or root of a phylogenetic tree where a population either becomes extinct or is currently living today?

Neither. The leaves of the tree represent descendants; the root or base represents the common ancestor of all organisms in that tree. This says nothing about which have survived and which have become extinct, only which appeared first and which developed from it.

Role of phenol in DNA isolation?

Phenol is used in DNA isolation to help separate proteins and lipids from DNA by disrupting their interactions. Phenol denatures proteins and disrupts lipid membranes, allowing the DNA to be separated into the aqueous phase. This helps to purify the DNA for downstream applications like PCR, sequencing, or cloning.

What are non-autonomous transposable elements in Biology?

Non-autonomous transposable elements (TE) are mobile genetic elements. They are DNA segments that can move from one position to another in the genome.

Nonautonomous TE's cannot transpose by themselves because they lack the transposase gene that autonomous TEs have. Nonautonomous TE's require autnomous elements to transpose, and their insertions are stable because they can't move by themselves - unlike autonomous TEs.

What are the principles underlying the theory of evolution?

The principles underlying the theory of evolution are natural selection, genetic variation, heredity, and reproductive success. These principles explain how populations change over time through the process of adaptation to their environment. Evolutionary theory also emphasizes the idea of common ancestry, suggesting that all species are related through descent from a common ancestor.

Forms of evidence for how early life evolved?

Modern man evolved a long time ago. There has never been a time in all the years that man has been upon the earth that has, to him, has not been a modern time. From the time of Adam to the present day there have been thousands of modern times. If there is one aspect of the evolvment of mankind it is through knowledge. Man began life as a man and not some ameba crawling out of the sea. Science will never be able to proove that man was nothing less than a man when the earth was first inhabited.

Theory that processes that can be seen today also occurred in the past?

Uniformitarianism is the theory that the same geological processes we see happening today have been shaping the Earth's surface over millions of years. This idea, popularized by geologist Charles Lyell in the 19th century, suggests that the present is the key to the past when studying Earth's history. By examining current processes, scientists can better understand how landscapes, rock formations, and fossils were formed in the past.

Evolution presumes that the fittest humans are those who?

Evolutionary theory suggests that the individuals who are most adapted to their environment and can successfully reproduce are considered the fittest. This doesn't necessarily mean physical strength, but rather the ability to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

What contributes to natural selection?

Any environmental change contributes to natural selection. This could even result from competition within one's own species. Rising population modifies an environment, creating opportunities for natural selection. Changing climate exerts selective pressure on all

species. There has been an evolutionary "arms race" between tigers and Gazelles. As the gazelles grew faster to escape the jaws of tigers, only the faster tigers would tend to eat well and pass on their genetic heritage.

The process of survival of the most reproductively fit organisms is called?

The process of survival of the most reproductively fit organisms is called natural selection. It involves the adaptation of species to their environment through the passing on of favorable traits to future generations.