What is does evolution mean?

Answer 1

Evolutionary Theory
The nature of evolution is often misunderstood - quite frequently it is mangled terribly by creationists who are trying to argue against something they cannot define. Probably the simplest definition of evolution is this:

...evolution can be precisely defined as any change in the frequency of alleles within a gene pool from one generation to the next. (Helena Curtis and N. Sue Barnes, Biology 5th ed. 1989 Worth Publishers, p.974)

So what does that mean? First, an allele is just a variation of a gene. There is only one gene for eye color, but people with blue eyes have one allele of that gene and people with brown eyes have a different allele of that gene.

Evolution occurs in a gene pool over the course of generations. Thus, individual organisms do not evolve, in the sense of biological evolution. Evolutionary changes are those which affect distinct populations of organisms which constitue a gene pool. If these changes are heritable and passed along, it can be said that this population has evolved.

It should be noted that this has nothing whatsoever to do with the origins of life - evolution is about the changes that happen when life exists and makes no claims about where life may or my not have come from.

Also Known As: Darwinism

Answer 2

Evolution is the changes in a species over time that can eventually create a whole new species. This happens by genetic mutations. If the mutation is one that is beneficial, it will remain through mating and passing the gene on to following generations. If it is not acceptable to a mate, then it will not be passed on. It is also determined by "survival of the fittest", in that other creatures could hate the difference and kill that species off. That is called extinction. Many lifeforms have become extinct, and many live to this day. Some don't change much because they are resistant to radiation and some change greatly. It is an ongoing process that has continued from the beginning of life and will continue as long as there is life.

Answer 3

This my sound stupid but bear with me.

I see evidence of evolution everyday. One of the most facinating things I see (and you could too, if you looked hard enough at it) are trees. Its not just humans and animals that evolve. Its every living thing. In my town there is a road that is pretty heavily traveled by both cars and semi-trucks. This is a 4 lane road, not a highway or interstae, just a normal road. In the median of this road are trees which stand roughly between 15-30 feet high. The branches of these trees overhang the road. But if you are following a semi-truck down this road you would notice that where the branches that overhang the road and would normally be low enough for the trucks to hit dont grow. They stop just at the point where the truck would hit them. Before you start thinking that the trucks hit them and break them off, let me tell you something. I have stopped, gotten out and looked at the branches of these trees. They arent broken. They just stop growing before they get to the point where the trucks would hit them and break them. The branches that are higher than the semi-trucks grow over the road just fine. I have seen when some of the older trees in this median have been replaced with younger trees. The younger newer trees are very robust and have a lot of branches everywhere, but as they get bigger they actually stop growing over the road. Just like the trees that have been there for years. If there is a road in your city like this, look at it next time you drive it. Stop. Get out. Look at the branches. they arent cut or broken. They just stopped growing. These trees have adapted to their environment. They actually changed the way they grew to acommodate the space that they have been planted. Thats Evolution. You can see it

Answer 4

Evolution is Gods way of changing its manifested form over time.

Answer 5

A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.

Answer 6

In biology, it's when a species slowly turns into another species. Try entering this word into wikipedia.org for a more comprehensive answer

Answer 7

It's like when a Caterpillar evolves into a Butterfly.

Answer 8

The non-random replication of randomly varying replicators.

Answer 9

Please go ask this question in the biology section....the arguments in R&S will not help your understanding at all.