The Theory of Evolution
The theory of evolution is based on the notion that certain traits are passed on more frequently than others. These traits make it easier for individuals to survive and reproduce, so they tend to increase in number over time.
Scientists have now discovered how this process operates. A study of the clawed-frog showed that duplicate genes can perform different functions.
Evolution is an inevitable process
The natural process that leads to the evolution of organisms best at adapting to their environment is referred to as "natural selection." It's one of the primary processes of evolution, along with mutation or migration as well as genetic drift. The ones with traits that help survival and reproduction are more likely to pass these traits onto their offspring, leading to gradual changes in gene frequencies over time. This leads to new species being created and existing ones being transformed.
In the early 19th century, Charles Darwin formulated a scientific theory that outlined how biological organisms changed over time. The theory is based on the notion that more offspring are born than can be sustained, and that these offspring compete with each other for resources in their physical surroundings. This results in a "struggle for existence" in which the ones with the most beneficial traits win while others are discarded. The offspring that survives transmit these genes to their children. This gives them an advantage over the other members of the species. Over time, the population of organisms that have these advantageous traits increases.
It is, however, difficult to comprehend how natural selection can create new traits if its primary purpose is to eliminate inequities individuals. In addition that the majority of natural selections reduce genetic variation in populations. This means that it is unlikely that natural selection will produce the emergence of new traits unless other forces are in play.
Mutation, genetic drift and migration are the major forces of evolution that alter gene frequencies and cause evolution. Sexual reproduction and the fact that each parent transmits half of their genes to each child accelerates these processes. These genes, referred to as alleles, may be present at different frequency between individuals belonging to the same species. The resulting allele frequencies determine whether the trait will be dominant or recessive.
A mutation is essentially an alteration in the DNA code of an organism. The mutation causes some cells to grow and develop into an entirely different organism, while others don't. Mutations can also increase the frequency of existing alleles, or create new alleles. The new alleles are then passed to the next generation and become dominant phenotypes.
Natural selection is the mainstay of evolution
Natural selection is a straightforward mechanism that changes populations of living organisms over time. It is a result of the interaction between heritable phenotypic variations and the differential reproduction. These factors create the situation that people who have beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with no beneficial traits. As time passes this process can lead to a reshaping of the gene pool, thereby making it more closely aligned with the environment in which people live. Darwin's "survival-of-the fittest" is built on this idea.
This process is based on the notion that people adapt to their environment by displaying various traits. People who have adaptable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, which means they are more likely to produce many offspring. BioMed Central states that this will eventually lead to the trait to spread throughout the population. In the end everyone in the population will be affected and the population will change. This is known as evolution.
People who are less adaptable are likely to die or will not be able to produce offspring, and their genes won't make it to future generations. As time passes, genetically modified organisms will dominate the population and evolve into new species. However, this isn't a guarantee. The environment can alter abruptly and make the changes obsolete.
Sexual selection is another factor that influences evolution. Certain traits are more desirable if they increase the chances of a person mating an individual. This can lead to bizarre phenotypes such as brightly-colored plumage on birds or oversized antlers on deer. These phenotypes are not necessarily beneficial to the organism, however they can enhance its chances of survival and reproduction.
Another reason that some students do not understand natural selection is because they confuse it with soft inheritance. While soft inheritance is not required for evolution, it is often an essential element of it. This is because soft inheritance allows for random modification of DNA and the creation of new genetic variants which are not immediately useful to an organism. These mutations become the raw material upon which natural selection acts.
Genetics is the basis of evolution
Evolution is the natural process by which the characteristics of species change over time. It is based on a number of factors, such as mutation in genetic drift, gene flow and horizontal gene transfer. The relative frequency of alleles within a population can also affect the evolution. This allows for the selection of traits that are advantageous in a new environment. The theory of evolutionary change is a fundamental idea in biology that has profound implications on our understanding of life.
Darwin's ideas, in conjunction with Linnaeus notions of relatedness and Lamarck's theories about inheritance, revolutionized the view of how traits are passed on from parent to offspring. Instead of parents passing on inherited characteristics through use or disuse, Darwin argued that they were favored or disadvantageed by the environment they lived in and passed that knowledge on to their offspring. Darwin referred to this as natural selection, and in his book The Origin of Species he explained how this might lead to the development of new types of species.
Genetic changes, also known as mutations, occur randomly in the DNA of cells. These mutations can cause various phenotypic characteristics including hair color and eye color, and are affected by a variety of environmental factors. Certain phenotypic traits can be controlled by multiple genes, and some have more than two alleles, such as blood type (A B, A or O). The combination of the Darwinian theories of evolution with Mendel's ideas about genetics is referred to as the Modern Synthesis, and it is the framework that connects macroevolutionary changes in fossil records with microevolutionary processes such as genetic mutation and the selection of traits.
Macroevolution is a process that is extremely long and can only be seen in the fossil record. Microevolution however, is a process that occurs much faster and can be observed in living organisms. Microevolution is a process that is driven by genetic selection and mutation that are smaller scales than macroevolution. It can also be enhanced by other mechanisms such as gene flow, or horizontal gene transfer.
The basis of evolution is chance
The idea that evolution occurs by chance is an argument that has long been used by anti-evolutionists. This argument is flawed and it's important to understand the reasons. The argument is based on a misinterpretation of randomness and contingency. This error is rooted in a misreading of the nature of biological contingency as described by Stephen Jay Gould. He claimed that genetic information doesn't grow randomly, but also depends on past events. He based this on the fact that DNA is a copy of DNA, and these copies depend on other molecules. In other terms, there is a causal structure in every biological process.
The argument is also flawed due to its dependence on the physical laws and the application of science. These assertions are not only logically unsound, but they are also incorrect. Moreover the practice of science requires a causal determinism which isn't enough to account for all natural events.
Brendan Sweetman's book aims to provide a logical and accessible introduction to the relationship of evolutionary theory to Christian theology. He is not a flamboyant author, but a thoughtful one, which is in line with his objectives that include detaching the scientific status and implications for religion from evolutionary theory.
Although the book isn't quite as thorough as it could have been however, it provides an excellent overview of the key issues in this debate. It also clarifies that evolutionary theories are well-substantiated, widely accepted and worthy of rational acceptance. The book isn't as convincing when it comes down to whether God is involved in the process of evolution.
Trading Pokemon with other trainers is an excellent way to save Candy and time. The cost of developing certain Pokemon through the traditional method, like Feebas, is reduced by trading them with other players. This is especially helpful for high-level Pokemon that require a lot of Candy to evolve.