Which observations lead natural scientists to the conclusion that biological evolution exists?

Answer 1

There are any number of observations that have conclusively, absolutely, no-doubts-about-it, laboratory tested, verified and documented that biologically evolution definitely exists.

These include (but are not limited to):

Development of resistance to pesticides in many insect species.

Development of resistance to anti-biotics in many strains of bacteria.

These observations prove that biological evolution definitely exists. There is no rational way to argue that these events have not taken place.

The explanation of how these events came about is what is generally known as the Theory of Evolution, and is the scientific explanation how the observed fact of biological evolution came about.

Darwin's Theory of the Origin of Species through Natural Selection is the best known of the theories of evolution. This theory has been shown in laboratory experiments to be consistent with the observed facts in the cases stated above, and used to predict further observations, which have been confirmed.

Other theories which have expanded and clarified portions of Darwin's theory have developed over the years. These explain such things as founder's effect, genetic drift, mechanisms and rates of mutation, punctuated equilibrium and others. Note that none of these other theories of evolution compete with Darwin's theory, but instead expand on the framework of natural selection.

So biological evolution definitely exists, and the theory of evolution as proposed by the theory of natural selection, enhanced by theories of genetic drift, founder's effect and random mutation have proven to be the most likely scientific explanation of how that biological evolution happened. There is no other theory or explanation for the events that has the same powers of prediction and explanation for these events.

Answer 2

I am a scientist but I don't claim to be a natural scientist. However there are many things that support evolution. For example--the is microevolution happening every day, even every hour (think mutation in bacterial DNA) Now if you just add millions of years to that and you get macroevolution. Also the salinity of the sea water if dated back to the time when we think living beings were formed (water gets saltier as time goes by) it is about the same salinity as our blood. There is also evidence in the rock formation and fossils in them. There is a lot more scientific tangible evidence of evolution than any other theories.

Answer 3

Small variations in a species was the trigger event. Darwin was on the HMS Beagle exploring the Galapagos islands when he noticed, and documented, that finches on each island were the exact same in most ways, but different in others- most notably, the beak.

He noticed that the differences in beaks allowed each group to get a certain type of seed better- from plants that showed up on one island, but not the others.

He also noticed that the Galapagos had several animals similar to, but unique from the mainland, and that there were other species that showed variations between the islands.

Other observiers had seen similar changes in other populations- especially insects. Wallace also saw this and published a report at about the same time as Darwin's "Origin of the Species".

Answer 4

As biologist who has lots of doubts to the extent of evolution I will throw in my two cents.

The main idea behind evolution exits in two principles. One is that if we look closely at all living things we can observe some commonality of traits. The second principle is based on the idea of adaptation of species.

So as a species encounters certain enivromental factors specific traits that allow for survival within that species will prevail. Evolution implies that if we are to look at our traits accross the animal and plant kingdoms we would see that the diffrences between species have been caused by each species adapting for better survival and traits that are identical relate back to a common anscestor. With the eventuality of finding one and only one ancestor that all living creatures descend from.

Answer 5

The most famous observation of evolution was conducted by, who else, Charles Darwin. On his trip to the Galapagos Islands, Darwin discovered that throughout the cluster of islands, most of which contained finches, no two islands had the exact same types of birds. His theory was that after having migrated to a new island, the birds adapted to their new environments, mainly due to new food sources. Finches that mainly ate bugs living in trees grew long beaks to reach into branches, where as finches surviving maninly on seeds grew thick beaks to cut through the touch skins.

Answer 6

The webbing between your fingers. The ridges on the back of your hands that are hereditary traces of where, in our reptile ancestors, scales were anchored. The appendix, used in our earlier mammalian ancestors to digest cellulose, but which we no longer have any use for.

Answer 7

One example: antibiotics that were once effective against certain infections have lost their effectiveness due to the evolution of the infection-causing germs into stronger, more resistant varieties.

Answer 8

As the atheists love to try and debunk the notion that there is a God allow me to debunk "evolution" by calling it a religion as well.
Belief in a theory contrary to the findings seriously calling it into question. There is evidence which indicate that the earth's age to be only several thousand years.

Answer 9

Biological evolution is not a proven fact, but it is a proven theory.

Answer 10

Pure idiocy if you ask me.
There are no DNA common to humans and apes, or Neanderthal, or Mississipian, or Ostrolapithican....