In this weeks assignment I will be discussing and explaining a few things that have to due with evolution. In the first segment I will be talking about phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. In the second part of the paper I will be discussing fossil records and the connection they have with punctuated equilibrium. Finally I will be talking about rapid evolution and relative stasis.

Explain the concepts of phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Phyletic gradualism is a model of evolution. The theory of phyletic gradualism states that the rise of new species is slow, uniform and gradual. In this theory there is no real clear line between ancestral and descendant species. Punctuated equilibrium is a hypothesis, which holds that evolutionary changes usually occur in short bursts separated by long periods of stability. Both phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are different types of evolution. There are two types of evolution macroevolution and microevolution. Microevolution is slight short-term changes within a species. For example in humans there are different eye colors and hair colors.
What predictions about the fossil record does punctuated equilibrium make? Evolution and punctuated equilibrium which state that changes in species occur in short bursts separated by periods of time. Many evolutionists believe that new species are descended from other species that have already existed. Evolution also states that many populations of pre-existing species have evolved into other species over a period of time. Many of these changes can be found in the fossil record and that is also why the fossil record is important for the theory of punctuated equilibrium.
In this model, what are the processes that produce rapid evolution? Which evolutionary factors are responsible for the periods of relative stasis?
In this model, what are the processes that produce rapid evolution? Which evolutionary factors are responsible for the periods of relative stasis?
According to onelife.com there are two parts that contribute to the evolution process. The first process that affects evolution is reproduction. With reproduction changes can be made that effect future generations and can happen at random. The second process is the ever-changing environment. Changes in the environment can have positive and negative effects on a species when it comes to evolution. Any change no matter how big or how small in an environment either helps a species evolve or help a species to become elimated. Evolutionary stasis refers to a species that genetically remains the same for a long period of time with very little change. The one factor that has an effect on evolutionary stasis is the environment. If there are no changes in a species environment then of course there will be nothing to encourage change.
What evidence do we see that supports evolution by gradual change? The most important evidence that supports evolution by gradual change is the fossil record. The fossil record uses fossils that have been found and catalogued over time. These fossil records show the gradual change over a period of time in certain species. Also by using these fossils we can see how a species has evolved over time from large creatures to small and from small to large. The problem with the fossil record is that it is incomplete.

What evidence do we see that supports the concept of punctuated equilibrium? The concept of punctuated equilibrium is that changes in species are made in short bursts over a long period of time. One theory that is used for evidence to support this concept is the appearance and disappearance of new species throughout time. For this concept the fossil record is used again. Fossil record is mainly used to show the progression of a species over the course of time. The problem is that there is no fossil record for species that appear out of nowhere. Throughout this assignment I was introduced to evolution and the theories and concepts for it. I learned a great deal about punctuated equilibrium, phyletic gradualism and how everything basically ties into one another. It was very interesting to learn about all this.