The Evolution Site
The theory of natural selection as the basis of evolution is the central force in the field of modern biology. It combines disciplines like microbiology, palaeontology, and genetics.
The study of evolution may be controversial and the misinformation that results can cause confusion about its basic concepts. This site explains the fundamental concepts.
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The current understanding of evolution is based on the gradual change that occurs within populations over time. These changes are the result of natural selection. This is a process that increases the number organisms with beneficial traits, which enable them to thrive and reproduce in particular environments. The organisms that have these traits produce more offspring as a result of their positive characteristics. This results in an alteration in genetics that could eventually lead to the formation of new species.
The term "evolution" is usually associated with "survival-of-the best" which implies that people who are more adapted to certain environmental conditions will have an advantage over those less well adapted. This is only one of the many ways that evolution can occur.
Another popular way to use the word evolution is to suggest that a species are able to move from one stage to the next. This view of evolution is called anagenetic or cladogenesis. This view is not supported by the scientific definition of evolution. The evolutionary theory that scientists have developed change focuses instead on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are the result mutations that result from natural selection and genetic variation.
Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who backed this theory. Others, such as Alfred Russel Wallace, who developed the theory of macroevolution and believed that this was the only way that the higher forms of life could have evolved from the lower forms.
A theory must stand up to rigorous tests and evidence to be considered a theory. The evidence for evolution has withstood the test of time and has been backed by a myriad of studies across a wide range of sciences, from geology to biology to astronomy. In fact evolution is regarded as one of the fundamental tenets of science today and is supported by the majority of scientists worldwide. Many people are confused about the nature of evolution theory, especially how it relates to religion.
What is the Theory of Evolution (Evolutionary Theory)?
Evolution is an explanation in science of the way living things change over time. It is based on a few well-established facts: that many more offspring are created than can be surviving, that individuals differ in their physical characteristics and that they are able to pass on traits to the next generation. These observations are supported by the growing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology, functional morphology, climatology, and geology.
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace independently developed the theory of evolution based on selection in the mid-19th Century as an explanation why organisms are adapted their physical and biologic environments. It is currently the most well-supported and most widely tested theory in all of science. Its theories have been proven out by the fact that, for example, more complex organisms tend to have less genetic mutations than simpler ones. Additionally the more successful an organism is in being able to reproduce and survive in its ability to reproduce, the more likely it will be to pass its genes to future generations.
Some people are against evolution because they believe it implies there is no purpose for life. Many scientists who are religious believers like Cambridge Palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris (BioLogos, 2014), believe that evolution is compatible with faith in God and can even be enhanced by it.
In reality, a large number of highly qualified evolutionary biologists, including a few who are renowned evangelical Christian leaders, have been involved in the creation and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of these scientists contributed to the understanding of a wide range phenomena, including phylogenetics and genomics, as well as the formation and function fossils.
The word "theory" is sometimes used in a wrong sense to mean a guess or speculation, when in fact it is a scientific hypothesis that has been thoroughly evaluated and refined over time. Scientists test their theories by repeating the experiments or observations that led to them. So the theory of evolution theory has been repeatedly confirmed as well as the related theories of Copernican theory as well as atomic theory and germ theory.
What is the Process of Evolution?
The process of evolution is a gradual shift in the genetic makeup of different individuals within a species over time. This is the result of natural selection, which favors individuals who are more adapted to their environment. The individuals who are more adapted have better chances of reproduction and survival. As more individuals survive and reproduce their genes are more widely distributed in the general population. This process is sometimes called "survival for the strongest."
According to evolution theory the causes of mutations that result in genomic variation are what drives evolutionary change. These mutations can occur at random, or under the influence of the environment. If mutations are random, the frequency of the resultant alleles could differ from generation to generation. However, when an alteration is beneficial it can increase the frequency of the allele, which causes it to spread across the population.
The changes in frequency of alleles can result in new species over time. The new species may continue to evolve and become newer forms. This process is known as macroevolution. The development of a new species is often due to changes in the environment that allow certain kinds of resources to become available or cause new environmental challenges. For instance, the rise of finches in the Galapagos Islands is a result of the abundance of food sources and the need to protect themselves from predators.
In a wider context, evolution is defined as any change that occurs in the nature of organisms over time. The change could be minor, such as the development of a new coloration, or massive, for instance, the development of a brand new organ.
Scientists who believe in the theory of evolution generally recognize the importance of genetic changes in the process of generating evolution. They also acknowledge that the process of evolution occurs over a long period of time, usually millions of years. They differ in the importance of various factors that could speed up or slow down this process. For instance the role of sexual selection, environmental pressures and mutation bias. Despite these differences, most scientists believe that evolution has occurred and that evidence for this is overwhelming.
What evidence can be found for evolution?
In the decades since Darwin's time, scientists have collected evidence to support his theory of evolution. This evidence comes from fossils that demonstrate the evolution of living organisms over time. Similarities between living organisms as well as embryology, biogeography, and genetics are also evidence.
The main proof of evolution is in the evolutionary tree, which shows how species are related. Homologous structures are another source of evidence. They share a similar structure, but they perform different functions in different species, for instance, the wings of a bat or bird. The fact that different species develop and adapt to the same environment is also evidence of evolution. For instance, arctic-foxes and ptarmigans have seasonal white pelts to blend in with snow and ice. This is a type of convergent evolution that suggests that the species has common ancestral ancestors.
Vestigial structures are a different piece of evidence. They are the remains of an organism that may have served some purpose in the distant past. For example the human appendix may be remnants of an earlier organ that served to digest food. These structures tend to shrink in size when they're no longer in use in a process called natural selection.
Scientists have also collected evidence for evolution through observation and experimenting. The evidence for evolution can be grouped into six categories: directly observable small-scale changes, biogeographic patterns as well as comparative anatomy, fossil record, genetics, and classification. Each of these provides convincing evidence that evolution of life has taken place.
While many people are misinformed about the theory of evolution, it is an established fact. It is not a theory, but a significant collection founded on years of observation. No matter what people believe or disbelieve about the theory of evolution scientists continue to research and collect new data in order to further comprehend the evolution of life on Earth. This information will allow scientists to better understand how we can avoid future global catastrophes, and how to use the resources of our planet. It will also enable us to better serve the needs of all the people on this planet.