The Evolution Site

The theory of natural selection as the basis of evolution is the central force in the current biology. It connects disciplines such as genetics, palaeontology and microbiology.

The study of evolution may be controversial and the misinformation that results can cause confusion about its basic concepts. This site clarifies essential concepts.

What is Evolution?

The modern understanding of evolution is based on the gradual change that occurs within populations over time. These changes are a result of natural selection, a process that increases the amount of organisms that have traits that are beneficial and enable them to live and reproduce in a specific environment. This means that these organisms leave more offspring than those that do not have the beneficial characteristics. This can result in a genetic mutation which could eventually lead to new species.

The term "evolution" is often associated with "survival-of-the fittest" which implies that people who are better adapted to certain environmental conditions will have a distinct advantage over those who are less well-adapted. However, this is only one of many ways that evolution could occur.

Another common way the term "evolution" is used is to suggest that a species will invariably change from one state to the next state of being. This type of view of evolution is called anagenetic or cladogenesis. This is not backed by the definition of evolution in science. The evolutionary theory that scientists have developed changes focuses on the changes that occur in populations over time. These changes are caused by mutations that result from natural selection and genetic variation.

Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who supported this theory. Others, notably Alfred Russel Wallace, who developed the theory of macroevolution and believed that this was the only way that the higher forms of life could be derived from lower forms.


For a concept to be called a theory, it must be capable of surviving rigorous testing and evidence. Evolution has stood the test of time and has been backed by countless scientific disciplines from geology to biology the sciences of astronomy to chemistry. Evolution is the foundation of science and is supported by a majority of scientists across the globe. However, many people have misconceptions about the theory of evolution, and particularly the relationship it has with religion.

What is the Theory of Evolution (Evolutionary Theory)?

Evolution is a scientific explanation of how living things change over time. It is based on few known facts: that more offspring are born than can survive and that different individuals have their physical traits and they can transmit traits to future generations. These findings are backed by an increasing body of evidence from molecular biology, palaeontology and climatology functional geology and morphology.

The theory of evolution based on natural selection was conceived independently by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the mid-19th century to explain why organisms are adapted to their physical and biological environments. It is now the best-supported and most extensively tested theory in the field of science. Its predictions were confirmed by the fact that, for instance, more complex organisms have less genetic mutations. Additionally the more successful an organism is at reproduction and survival and reproducing, the more likely it will be to pass on its genes to the next generation.

Some people are against evolution because they believe it implies that there is no purpose to life. However, a lot of scientists who are also religious, such as the prominent Cambridge Palaeontologist Simon Conway Morris, believe that evolution isn't just compatible with belief in God but can be enhanced by it (BioLogos 2014).

In actual fact, a significant number of highly qualified evolutionary biologists, including some who are renowned evangelical Christian leaders, have been involved in the development and testing of the theory of evolution. Many of these researchers contributed to the understanding a vast array of phenomena, such as phylogenetics and genomics, as well as the formation and function fossils.

The word "theory" is sometimes used to refer to an assumption or speculation, when in fact it is a scientific hypothesis that has been rigorously evaluated and refined over time. Scientists test hypotheses through repeating the experiments or observations that led them to them. The theory of evolution has been repeatedly borne out, as have the related theories of Copernican, germ theory, and atomic theory.

What is the Process of Evolution?

The process of evolution is the gradual change over time in the proportion of genetically distinct individuals within a particular species. This change is a result of natural selection of individuals that are more well-adapted to their environment. The better-adapted individuals have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. As more people survive and reproduce, their genes become more prevalent in the general population. This is sometimes called "survival of the most fittest."

According to theories of evolution the causes of mutations that result in genomic variation are what drives evolutionary change. These mutations can occur at random or be influenced by the environment. When mutations are random the frequencies of the resulting alleles may differ from generation to generation. If a mutation is beneficial, it can increase the frequency of the allele which causes the allele to spread throughout the population.

에볼루션 게이밍 in allele frequency could lead to new species in the course of time. The new species will grow and evolve into new forms. This process is known as macroevolution. 에볼루션 슬롯 of a new species is usually due to changes in the environment which provide certain types of resources available or create new environmental challenges. For instance, the rise of finches in the Galapagos Islands is a result of the abundance of food sources and the need to defend themselves from predators.

In a larger sense the term "evolution" can be described as any change in the characteristics of living organisms over time. This change can be small, such as the development of a new coloration or massive, for instance, the formation of a new organ.

Scientists who accept the theory of evolution generally agree on the importance of genetic changes in the process of generating evolution. They also acknowledge that the process of evolution happens over a long period of time, usually millions of years. They differ on the importance of different factors that may speed up or slow down the process. For example the role of sexual selection, environmental pressures and mutation bias. Despite these differences scientists believe that evolution has occurred and that the evidence for this is overwhelming.

What evidence do we have to support evolution?

Since Darwin's time scientists have gathered evidence to support his theory of evolution. This evidence comes from fossils that demonstrate the evolution of organisms over time. Other evidence is found in similarities among living organisms, embryology, biogeography, genetics and comparative anatomy.

The evolutionary tree is the best method to prove the existence of evolution. It demonstrates how species are closely related. Another way to prove it is homologous structures, which share a similar structures in different species but perform distinct functions, such as the wings of bats and birds. The fact that different species develop and adapt to a similar environment is also a sign of evolution. For example, arctic foxes and ptarmigans grow seasonal white pelts that blend in with snow and ice. This is a form of convergent evolutionary process, which suggests that the species share common ancestors.

Vestigial structures are another piece of evidence. These are a part of an organism that could have served a purpose in the distant past. For example the human appendix may be an oblique reminder of an organ that was used to digest food. Natural selection causes these structures to shrink as they are no longer utilized.

Scientists have also gathered other evidence of evolution through observation and experimentation. The evidence for evolution can be grouped into six categories: directly observable small-scale changes, biogeographic patterns, comparative anatomy, the fossil record, genetics, and classification. Each of these provides convincing evidence that the evolution of life has taken place.

Many people have misconceptions regarding the theory of evolution. However, it is an established fact. It isn't just a theory; it is a potent collection of decades of observation and accumulated data that has been tested and proven. Scientists continue to gather and study new information to better understand the arc of Earth's evolution, regardless of whether people believe in the theory of evolution or not. This knowledge will allow scientists to better understand how to avoid future catastrophes on the planet, and how to best utilize the resources on our planet. It will also allow us to better serve the needs of people on this planet.