If we evolved in to such a complex collection of cells how could the development of D.N.A. happen just by chance?
2006-10-21 17:22:12 · 7 answers · asked by jaywhutchison 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The most up-to-date theory of evolution is called punctuated equilibrium, and it actually says that there are times of rapid evolution, due to a rapid change of the environment.
Any apparent gaps are because we just haven't yet found the evidence to fill in those gaps - it's kinda like if you were watching a football game and went to the kitchen to get a soda. When you come back you missed a few minutes and have to figure out what happened while you were gone.
Your question "how could the development of D.N.A. happen just by chance" actually perpetuates a common misconception. Evolution isn't a random chance process, it's a steady progression towards better and better things. Natural selection dictates that only the creatures most suited to their environment survive, rather than just picking one randomly. DNA wasn't a random chance thing, it was the one specific combination of many millions that was best suited, and so it only survived while the unsuitable choices did not.
2006-10-21 17:48:58 · answer #1 · answered by zandyandi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually there are two theories: gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Gradualism means evolution happens as a series of small changes that over time add up to a big change. Punctuated equilibrium, which is apparently the more popular theory, is that there is a big change, then there are genetic mutations over time through the generations and eventually another big change appears in a species.
Genetic mutations are random changes in the cells. These changes happen by chance. DNA would have happened by chance the same way all genetic changes happen by chance. The random genetic mutations on the cellular level eventually build up and result in a change in biology in a species.
2006-10-21 17:30:00 · answer #2 · answered by Donna Knight 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like the anser by Donna above, i just wanted to add that punctuated equilibrium has become more popular as of late because the fossil records are becoming more and more 'complete,' meaning there are thousands and thousands now, yet there arent any 'gap' species to show that mutations started as random characteristics that evolved slowly through many many generations.
2006-10-21 17:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by Joey H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are big changes because of the big gaps. We just didn't find any proofs within those gaps to shorten the gaps. There are also only two ways DNA could have been "invented," one is the religious reason, and the other is by chance.
2006-10-21 17:25:52 · answer #4 · answered by icez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It didn't happen by chance, and as far as adaptation goes, we adapted perfectly... Our bodies, from the neanderthols changed immensively. Our rib cages curved inwards and our hips were more spacial (This allowed quick movement and fast running.)
The big gap is a great example of rapid evolution. Look it up in a search engine, you will find a lot of interesting knowledge about it, whether fact or fiction.
2006-10-21 17:28:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, it happened just by chance. A lot of mutation involved in a very long period of time to form the lives that we've known today.
2006-10-21 17:28:30 · answer #6 · answered by Brian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our evolutionary ancestry was from the ocean, there are very simple creatures in the ocean.
2006-10-21 17:25:28 · answer #7 · answered by cheeseisyourmaster 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋