...The Theory of Evolution “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” (Charles Darwin). One of the more controversial pieces ever written was Darwin’s Natural Selection. The controversy is evolution vs. creation. Religion says earth and mankind, and life in general was created by god (as told in the creation story) with a design and purpose. Darwin says life all descends from a common ancestor with modifications over time in an undirected manor. It is not outside the realm of possibility that Darwin may be right considering he was trained as a minister and allowed himself to step outside the general consensus. Much like he did, we may need to accept that there may be some truth to the work he has done over his life I feel that Darwin's work was impactful because it shows us that there are alternative reasoning’s behind how we got here. I agree with Darwin's work and his theory of evolution because it is actually supported by evidence. I don't know about you but I've never been religious. I also think that his theory should be taught because religion has no place in public classrooms. Let parents teach religion, schools teach science, and allow the child to decide what to believe. I believe that evolution is real because it explains why there are so many different types of certain species. Natural selection is the gradual process by which biological traits become either more or less common in a population...
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...Theory of Evolution Charles Darwin was a British Scientist who lived from 1809 to 1882. He laid down the foundation of modern evolutionary theory with his concept of the development of life through the slow working process of natural selection. Darwin started to make notes about this theory in 1836 and in 1838 he had arrived at a sketch of a theory of evolution through natural selection. It was not until 1858 that his theory was first published in a paper. Darwin’s theory states that as plants or animals spread to new areas, or as the conditions change different variations would be favored in different places. This would mean these variations would spread through the populations of the plants or animals. Over time this would finally lead to a development of new species. This theory was explained in the book ‘The Origin of Species’, which describes his studies on the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. He noticed that the species on the islands varied slightly from each island and were adapted to local conditions. The reaction to this theory was immediate. Biologists argued that Darwin could not prove his hypothesis. Others criticized his ideas of variation and how he could not prove how these variations came about or how they were passed on. This part of his theory was not answered until the birth of modern genetics in the early 20th century. In fact many scientists had doubts about this theory for 50-80 years. The most publicized attacks came from religious opponents who...
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...Theories and the Theory of Evolution Joy Dawson Colorado Technical University Author Notes This paper was prepared for SCI 101- 1401A taught by Professor Scott Christensen on January 17, 2014. Theories and the Theory of Evolution Evolution, a natural selection theorized by Charles Darwin and backed by many other scientist based on the scientific method. All theories must be capable to conduct testable predictions. Predictions are performed by observation and experimentations that are then to be conducted to give the theories authentication to the predictions. Darwin theory depends on slow, consistent, gradual change in organisms which in time will become a new species. Other evolutionary theories propose that evolution occurred in rapid periods of time or that a designer intervened during different times to modify or create organisms. The controversial debate of punctuated equilibrium and phyletic gradualism still exists, but the interesting research continues with fossil records, patterns of punctuated equilibrium, and maybe even more with the use of innovations of today. It is safe to say that scientists agree there is two models of growth which theorizes evolution of species can emerge. A species can change by phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium or both. Scientist believes species with a shorter evolution change is mostly by punctuated equilibrium, however, those with a longer progression developed mostly by gradualism. Phyletic gradualism happens gradually...
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...The theory of evolution is the change in the gene pool of a population from generation to generation by mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift. The main idea is that all life on Earth shares a common ancestor. A peacock chooses a mate using sexual selection, the female choses a male for the quantity, size, and distribution of his colorful eyespots, because the offspring of these males are bigger at birth and better at surviving in the wild. These birds are peafowls, the males are peacocks, and the females are peahens. The male peacock, shows off his bright colored train to attract a female, the more impressive his tail is the better his chances are of finding a mate. Their tail feathers (coverts) are as long as the bird’s body length and with markings that look like eyes of red, gold, blue, and other hues. Their tail is used in courtship displays where they spread their tail and show it off to the females, and mating when arched out into a magnificent fan it reaches across the bird's back down to the ground on both sides. Peahens choose mates by their physical prowess and the vivid color of his tail, which lets the female know that he has high-quality genes, making him perfect for reproduction and the survival of the offspring, so when it's time to mate, these are the first ones selected. Since all males do not have bright, large tails, especially a few thousand years ago, they were less likely to mate and reproduce, so their numbers were reduced from one generation...
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...Darwin and the Theory of Evolution Darwin’s theory of evolution is based on three observations: First, individuals within a species vary from one another in morphology, physiology, and behavior. Second, variation is in some part inheritable so that variant forms have offspring that resemble them. Third, different variants leave different number of offspring. Darwin elaborates on the mechanism of evolution by suggesting that in the struggle for existence, nature selects those individuals who are best suited for the struggle, and these individuals in turn reproduce more than those who are less fit, therefore changing the composition of the population. Darwin also suggests, in addition to natural selection, that species evolve through the process of sexual selection. In sexual selection, one gender of a species develops a preference for individuals of the other gender who possess certain features. The individuals who possess these features will the have a reproductive advantage over others, resulting in a greater number of offspring, causing yet another change in the composition of the population. Darwin made the theory of evolution feasible by providing the mechanisms of natural selection and sexual selection. His observations led him to believe that species did adapt to their changing surroundings. As a result, he was led to defend a theory advancing the probability of common descent for all living creatures. In The Origin of Species, Darwin analyzes the various...
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...Evolution and Theory of Plate Tectonics The most important and vital development of plate tectonic theory and evolution appeared to be among the most crucial scientific achievements in the 20th century. The theory concept offers a relevant structure towards the knowledge of all natural Earth attributes. It additionally provides one particular framework with regard to the knowledge of both planet's origin and outlook. Notably, the evolution of life on the planet remains significantly impacted by plate tectonic processes. This may involve the historic, societal, and cultural advancement of humanity. In other words, plate tectonic theory is an encompassing conjecture regarding different scientific theories that demonstrate the naturally occurring Earth characteristics have actually formed the historical past from the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, and all life organisms. Many scientific theories are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them substantially. For example, no new evidence will demonstrate that the Earth does not orbit around the sun (heliocentric theory), or that living things are not made of cells (cell theory), that matter is not composed of atoms, or that the surface of the Earth is not divided into solid plates that have moved over geological timescales (the theory of plate tectonics). Like these other foundational scientific theories, the theory of evolution is supported by so many observations and confirming experiments...
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...The Fossil Record and Theories of Evolution. Introduction In general, the term 'evolution' can imply a drastic orgradual change from a very broad perspective. Life on earth, the universe,galaxies, as also the earth in general have evolved through millions of years.In this essay we consider only one aspect of evolution emphasizing on evolutionas a biological tool for change among species and consider fossil record assupportive of both evolution theories and also the other theories contrary toevolution. Evolution is the central unifying concept, a theory thatsuccessfully connects biology, paleontology and other branches of science.Evolution is a gradual descent of organisms accompanied by changes that helpthe organisms to adjust and adapt to the surroundings. 'Descent withmodifications' as Darwin contended implies changes in organisms in successivegenerations (Mayr, 1976). These changes are triggered by the derivation of newspecies and there is a change in the properties of populations of organisms andthese properties tend to transcend the lifetime of any single individual. Newerspecies are modified versions of older species. Although, individual organisms do not biologically evolve,populations evolve when heritable genetic materials are transmitted from onegeneration to another. Biological evolution can range from very limited changesto drastic transformations on a large scale changing the entire speciesaltogether and bringing in new forms. Evolution can thus be defined asinheritable...
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...Evolution, a well debated topic, a theory that’s been around for centuries. A theory, evolution as an example, is an idea that is there to explain or prove something. Evolution is a process where different species and types of organisms have developed, slowly breaking away from one another over time, changing, growing, gradually changing overtime, developing into the organisms we have today. Any theory needs evidence to support it, evolution happens to have lots of evidence to support it, such as embryology, homology, cladograms, and fossil records. Each piece of evidence supports the theory of evolution, giving us a better grasp of the theory overall. One of these pieces of evidence to support the theory of evolution would be embryology, the study of embryos and how they develop. You’re probably wondering how something such as an embryo, an...
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...Most of us think about evolution in some prehistoric sense. After all, we were first exposed to the theory of evolution in elementary school studying about dinosaurs. But evolution has not stood still; it has been an on-going process. There are many contributing factors to micro and macroevolution. Microevolution therefore refers to changes in DNA within a population for adaptation. Scientists have uncovered a gene BMP4, which shapes the beaks in Galapagos Finches. According to Weiner the finches represent the best and most detailed demonstration of natural selection. Therefore, whenever the food quality changes as a result of a drought or raining season. During the next couple of years, researchers could see a dramatic change in the beak sizes in various populations. Natural selection can drive changes of their beak sizes in response to selective pressure. As a result, the finches with more BMP4 revealed larger beak sizes. The evidence is all around us. The Galapagos Finches are a good example of microevolution; they provide small changes within a species. But I failed to see any facts that support for macroevolution. It is the process of one species changing into a different species over a long period of time. By producing a dog into a different species that would be an example of macroevolution....
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...In this world, there is a continuous debate on how the world actually began. This is due to the mysteries that humans have and questioning about life. There are clearly to opposing viewpoint. One that promotes evolution, and the other that promotes creationism. However, the main question most people ask themselves is, which one is actually true? The following reflect two different point of views. What is Darwin's Theory of Evolution? In this article, the author explains and defines the evolution. According to the text, the theory of evolution began after Charles Darwin published his first book in 1859 (Than, 2015). This resulted in giving the world a different perspective and thought about how humanity actually began. Darwin mentioned that evolution happened through a process called natural selection. This stated that over time the organism begins to have different changes in order to adapt to his or her environment (Than, 2015). Later, these changes were heritable and permitted the descendants to live better and survive in the present environment (Than, 2015)....
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...Humans are believed to be the most evolved species on the planet, but a recent study has concluded that humans actually have quite primitive hands compared to the hands of the chimpanzee, our closest cousin on the evolutionary tree. Challenging Darwin’s Theory of Evolution In what is being considered the best challenge to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, scientists from the United States and Spain have declared that the humans might just have more primitive hands than chimpanzees. Their research found that human hands are still very similar to the hands of the last ancestor shared by humans and chimpanzees, which goes back as far as 6 million years. On the contrary, chimpanzees have evolved and no longer have the same primitive hands that humans possess today, suggesting that humans hands are much more primitive than previously thought and did not develop through the selective processes of evolution and the development of stone tool making. The Primitive Hands of Humans...
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...Background Information Charles Robert Darwin was a famed British naturalist, geologist and biologist who brought many fascinating ideas to the world of science and was credited for laying the foundations of the theory of evolution by natural selection, converting the views of many on the natural world. Darwin was born on the 12th February 1809 in the city of Shrewsbury, England and was the second youngest of six children. His father, Robert Darwin, was a physician and his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin was a distinguished botanist and philosopher. His mother, Susanna Wedgewood died when he was eight years old. Darwin was married to his first cousin, Emma Wedgewood for 43 years and had ten children. Education On October 1825, Charles Darwin applied...
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...Humans have been theorized to have an ancestor of a single-celled organism. And throughout billions of years, that single-celled organism gradually evolved into multicellular organisms. This is the theory of evolution. Due to these gradual evolutionary processes, humans have derived certain characteristics or skills that were necessary for survival. Although humans are known to be evolutionarily superior to other species, humans were born with skills expressed in earlier ancestors and nurtured those skills to develop into much more superior forms that set humans apart from other species. Humans have similar elementary processes in babies as primates. A set of these elementary processes are motor skills. In the genetics, humans are 98.8% identical to primates. And due to the theory of evolution, humans have similar motor skills as primates, such as basic survival reflexes. One motor skill humans have inherited is the ability to make...
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...Darwin, the most notable naturalist, collected, studied, and classified many organisms that no one in Europe had ever seen. His study of this amazing variety of organisms led him to develop his theory of ‘Natural Selection’, which explains how population evolve and how new species develop. According to the natural selection proposed by Darwin, in any population, there exists variation and an unequal ability of individuals to survive and reproduce, and only the best fir individuals survive and get to pass on their traits to offspring, known as survival of the fittest. Until 1845 in England, most pepper moth were light colored and few dark individuals could be found. With increasing industrialization, smoke and soot polluted the environment,...
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...Evolution and Australian Species Evolution can be described as process of organisms developing from there earlier forms of life of life. Evolution firstly became an idea from a group of ancient Greek thinkers. But when trying to introduce these ideas to the residents of Europe, they believed this must be false, as they already believed in the interpretation of the bible. This idea of evolution only began to rise again when Jean-Baptiste Lamarck the French naturalist came up with a theory how organisms evolved, he believed that they evolved through their efforts to the response of the demand of their environment “Australia is home to many interesting phenomena, amongst them its weird and wonderful wildlife. 86% of plants, 84% of mammals and...
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