evolution

Examples of evolution in the following topics:

• Evolution of Angiosperms

• Convergent Evolution

  • Convergent evolution occurs in different species that have evolved similar traits independently of each other.
  • This phenomenon is called convergent evolution, where similar traits evolve independently in species that do not share a recent common ancestry.
  • Convergent evolution describes the independent evolution of similar features in species of different lineages.
  • Convergent evolution is similar to, but distinguishable from, the phenomenon of parallel evolution.
  • The opposite of convergent evolution is divergent evolution, whereby related species evolve different traits.

• What is Evolution?

  • Evolution, the unifying theory of biology, describes a mechanism for the change and diversification of species over time.
  • Although it may seem that living things today stay the same, this is not the case: evolution is a gradual and ongoing process.
  • Evolution by natural selection describes a mechanism for the change of species over time .
  • Lyell's ideas, in turn, influenced Darwin's concept of evolution.
  • All organisms are products of evolution adapted to their environment.

• Lenski's Sociological Evolution Approach

  • Lenski's sociological evolution approach views technological progress as the most basic factor in the evolution of societies and cultures.
  • Sociocultural evolution is an umbrella term for theories of cultural evolution and social evolution, describing how cultures and societies have changed over time.
  • Most nineteenth century and some twentieth century approaches aimed to provide models for the evolution of humankind as a whole, argue that different societies are at different stages of social development.
  • He views technological progress as the most basic factor in the evolution of societies and cultures.
  • It is the relationships among population, production, and environment that drive sociocultural evolution.

• Misconceptions of Evolution

  • In the same way, the theory of evolution describes facts about the living world.
  • The theory of evolution explains how populations change over time.
  • In a larger sense, evolution is not goal directed.
  • Genetic drift, for example, is another mechanism by which evolution may occurs.
  • Thus evolution can occur without natural selection.

• Evidence of Evolution

  • Evidence for evolution has been obtained through fossil records, embryology, geography, and molecular biology.
  • The evidence for evolution is compelling and extensive.
  • For example, scientists have recovered highly-detailed records showing the evolution of humans and horses .
  • DNA sequences have also shed light on some of the mechanisms of evolution.
  • Explain how the fossil record has aided in the development of the theory of evolution

• Selective Breeding

  • Selective breeding is a field concerned with testing hypotheses and theories of evolution by using controlled experiments.
  • Experimental evolution is a field in evolutionary and experimental biology that is concerned with testing hypotheses and theories of evolution by using controlled experiments.
  • One of the first to carry out a controlled evolution experiment was William Dallinger.
  • For example, on February 15, 1988, Richard Lenski started a long-term evolution experiment with the bacterium E. coli.
  • Drawing of the incubator used by Dallinger in his evolution experiments.

• The Scopes Trial

  • The Scopes Trial of 1925 brought to national attention the debate over teaching evolution in public schools.
  • Substituting for the regular biology teacher at the high school in Dayton, Tennessee, Scopes said he was unsure whether he had actually taught evolution.
  • Prominent attorney Clarence Darrow spoke in defense of Scopes by presenting the Modernist argument in favor of the Theory of Evolution.
  • Still, the teaching of evolution expanded, while efforts to use state laws to reverse the trend failed in the court of public opinion.
  • Scopes was the defendant in the famous Scopes Trial of 1925, which provided a forum in which to argue the teaching of evolution in public schools in schools.

• Natural Selection and Adaptive Evolution

  • Natural selection drives adaptive evolution by selecting for and increasing the occurrence of beneficial traits in a population.
  • This process is known as adaptive evolution.
  • Amongst the flora and fauna of these enchanted volcanic islands, Darwin formulated his groundbreaking theories on evolution.

• The Fossil Record as Evidence for Evolution

  • Fossils tell us when organisms lived, as well as provide evidence for the progression and evolution of life on earth over millions of years.
  • The fossil record was one of the early sources of data underlying the study of evolution and continues to be relevant to the history of life on Earth.
  • Fossils provide solid evidence that organisms from the past are not the same as those found today; fossils show a progression of evolution.
  • The resulting fossil record tells the story of the past and shows the evolution of form over millions of years.
  • Synthesize the contributions of the fossil record to our understanding of evolution