The Theory of Evolution
The theory of evolution is based on the idea that certain traits are passed on more often than others. These characteristics make it easier to survive and reproduce for individuals, so their numbers tend to rise over time.
Scientists have now discovered how this process operates. A study of the clawed-frog showed that duplicate genes can serve different purposes.
Evolution is a process that occurs naturally
Natural selection is the process that leads to organisms evolving to be best adjusted to the environment they reside in. It is one of the major mechanisms of evolution along with mutations or migrations, as well as genetic drift. Those with traits that facilitate survival and reproduction are more likely to pass these traits to their offspring, leading to gradual changes in gene frequency over time. This results in new species being born and existing ones being altered.
In the early 19th century, Charles Darwin formulated a scientific theory that explained how living organisms changed over time. The theory is based on the notion that more offspring than could be able to survive are born and that these offspring compete for resources in their surroundings. This results in a "struggle for existence" in which those with the most advantageous traits prevail, and others are eliminated. The offspring who survive carry these traits to their offspring. This gives them an advantage over other members of the species. Over time, organisms with these desirable traits increase in number.
However, it's difficult to understand the mechanism by which natural selection can produce new traits if its primary function is to eliminate unfit individuals. In addition that the majority of natural selections reduce genetic variation in populations. Therefore, it is unlikely that natural selection will produce the emergence of new traits unless other forces are at work.
Mutation, genetic drift and migration are the primary forces of evolution that alter gene frequencies and cause evolution. These processes are speeded up by sexual reproduction and the fact that each parent gives half of its genes to offspring. These genes, also known as alleles, can be found at various frequencies among individuals of the same species. The allele frequencies that result determine whether the trait is dominant or recessive.
In the simplest terms the definition of a mutation is a change in the DNA structure of an organism's code. The mutation causes some cells to grow and develop into an entirely different organism, while others do not. Mutations can increase the frequency of alleles that currently exist or create new ones. The new alleles could be passed on to subsequent generations, and eventually become the dominant phenotype.
Evolution is based on natural selection
Natural selection is a simple mechanism that alters the population of living organisms over time. It is the result of heritable phenotypic variation and differential reproduction. These causes create the situation that people with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with no beneficial traits. This process is a gradual process that results in a change in the gene pool so that it is more closely linked to the environment in which people live. Darwin's "survival-of-the fittest" is an underlying concept.
This process is based on the notion that different traits enable individuals to adapt to their surroundings. Individuals who have adaptive traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, and consequently produce many offspring. BioMed Central states that this will eventually lead to the trait to spread across the population. Eventually extra resources of the population will have the trait, and the population will change. This is referred to as evolution.
People with less adaptive traits will die or be unable create offspring and their genes will not make it to future generations. Over time genetically modified organisms are more likely to dominate the population. They may also develop into new species. However, this is not an absolute process. The environment can change suddenly and make the changes obsolete.
Sexual selection is another aspect that influences the evolution. Certain traits are preferred when they increase the likelihood of a person mating an individual. This can result in bizarre phenotypes, such as brightly colored plumage of birds or the oversized antlers of deer. These phenotypes aren't beneficial to the organism, but they can boost the chances of survival and reproduction.
Another reason that some students do not understand natural selection is that they mistake it for soft inheritance. Soft inheritance is not required to evolve, but it is often a crucial component. This is because it allows for the random modification of DNA and the development of genetic variants that aren't immediately beneficial to the organism. These mutations then become the raw material upon which natural selection takes action.
Genetics is the foundation of evolution
Evolution is a natural process that causes changes in the traits inherited of species over time. It is influenced by a variety of factors, such as mutation in genetic drift, gene flow and horizontal gene transfer. The frequency of alleles within a group can also influence evolution. This allows for the selection of traits that are advantageous in the new environment. The theory of evolution is an essential concept in biology and has profound implications for understanding of life on Earth.
Darwin's ideas, along with Linnaeus notions of relatedness and Lamarck theories of inheritance, changed the way that traits are passed on from parent to child. Darwin argued that parents passed on traits inherited from their parents by their choice or lack of use, but they were also favored or disadvantageous by the environment they lived in and passed the information to their offspring. Darwin referred to this as natural selection and his book, The Origin of Species explained how this could lead to the development of new species.
Random genetic modifications, or mutations, occur in the DNA of cells. These mutations can cause a variety of phenotypic traits such as hair color to eye color, and are influenced by many environmental variables. Some phenotypic characteristics are controlled by more than one gene, and others have multiple alleles. For instance, blood type (A B or O) has three alleles. Modern Synthesis is a framework that combines Darwinian ideas of evolution with Mendel's genetics. It combines macroevolutionary changes found in fossil records with microevolutionary processes, such as genetic mutation and trait-selection.
Macroevolution is a process that takes a very long time and can only be seen in the fossil record. In contrast, microevolution is a much faster process that is visible in living organisms today. Microevolution is a process that is driven by genetic selection and mutation, which are smaller scales than macroevolution. It is also accelerated through other mechanisms like gene flow or horizontal gene transfer.
The basis of evolution is chance
The fact that evolution happens through chance is a claim that has been used for a long time by anti-evolutionists. This argument is flawed and it's crucial to understand why. For one thing, the argument confuses randomness with contingency. This is a mistake that stems from a misreading of the nature of biological contingency, as explained by Stephen Jay Gould. He believed that genetic information doesn't grow in a random manner, but is influenced by past events. He was able to prove his point by pointing out the fact that DNA is an incarnation of genes which are dependent on other molecules. All biological processes follow the same causal sequence.
The argument is also flawed because it relies on the rules and practices of science. These assertions are not only logically untenable and untrue, but also erroneous. The science practice assumes that causal determinism is not enough to be able to accurately predict all natural events.
Brendan Sweetman's book aims to provide a logical and accessible introduction to the relationship of evolutionary theory to Christian theism. He is a patient, rather than a flamboyant writer which is in line with his objectives, which are to separate the scientific value of evolutionary theory from its religious implications, and developing the ability to consider the implications of the controversial subject.
The book might not be as comprehensive as it should be however, it provides an excellent overview of the debate. It also demonstrates that evolutionary theory is a well-established scientific theory that is widely accepted by experts in the field and worthy of the rational approval. However the book is less than persuasive on the issue of whether God has any influence on evolution.
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