2007-02-06 05:43:04 · 5 answers · asked by Sled Queen 3 in Environment
That it is subject to random variations in genetic makeup.
2007-02-06 05:48:20 · answer #1 · answered by Michael Dino C 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Evolution involves the passing on of characteristics from ancestors through decendents. If an organism has a charactaristic in his genetic material and he has the opportunity to reproduce it is likely his descendents will have that same charactaristic. Evolution does not only involve the passing on of traits, though. It also is affected by the traits that are NOT passed on. Those traits that don't get passed along don't influence future generations and that can result in changes in the species as well.
One form of evolution is easy to see in our modern world in the breeding of dogs. Dogs with certain charactaristics are bred and their offspring tend to have similar charactaristics. If you continue to breed you can dramatically change the shape, size, color and other charactaristics of the anima. This kind of evolution is called artificial selection because it is typically done through intentional breeding by humans. Dogs used to all look pretty much alike and it is believed they descended from the grey wolf, but now their forms are astonishingly diverse.
Another for of evolution that occurs in a short enough time span for us to see it is the strengthening of germs through the over-use of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill germs, but a few germs are strong enough to survive the antibiotics. When these super germs pass their super genes on to their offspring we end up with germs that cause diseases that are harder to treat. So, through the over-use of antibiotics we promote the evolution of hardier germs.
In the big picture most evolutionary changes occur without human intervention, and they take thousands or millions of years to occur. Some people say scientists claim we descended from monkeys, but that's not what they say at all. All primates descended from a common ancestor that was not a monkey- it was something that came before monkeys.
2007-02-06 06:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Survival of the fittest.
If a creature is ill adapted to its environment (or even changing environment), it will be wiped out and competed out of existence by others.
2007-02-06 05:48:54 · answer #3 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It means that it changes and adapts to the environment in order to survive
2007-02-06 05:56:46 · answer #4 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sled queen,
maybe you should try going to your local library or even using the internet to do your homework
its much more fun you know and you might even learn something
2007-02-06 07:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋