what is evolution?

Question

please tell me some of the basic stuff about evolution.

Answer 1

One thing that is confusing is that when people say "evolution", they can mean one of two things: The process of evolution, or the theory of evolution.

The process of evolution just means "slow change in a species." Few people (even few creationists) deny that this change occurs. With the discovery of genetics, we've made this definition a bit more precise because we now know the connection between a species and the genes of individuals. So when people talk about "change in allele frequecies in a species" or "change in the gene pool of a species" they're all talking about the same thing. ... Just change in the *species*.

The *theory* of evolution is an explanation of *how* the process of evolution (slow change) occurs, and how all the species on earth can be explained by that same process. Darwin's theory of Natural Selection (what some people call "survival of the fittest") is the reigning theory of *how* the process of evolution occurs ... but Darwin did not invent evolution.

It is over the theory of evolution that some of the controversy comes in ... but it's important to know that this is NOT a controversy among scientists. The scientific community is almost unanimous that the theory of evolution (as an explanation for all the species on the planet) is very solid and supported by overwhelming evidence. The theory of evolution (not the process of evolution) is controversial only among religious conservatives who insist on a completely literal reading of the Bible. In other words, if it says the world was made in six days, then that means a *literal* rising and setting of the sun (even though God didn't actually create the sun until the fourth day). And if some obscure passages list the geneology from Adam to Noah to Moses, and by counting those generations we estimate that this spanned about 6,000 years, then that is how old the earth must be, (despite the overwhelming evidence that the earth is about 4.5 to 4.6 *billion* years old).

Another really, really *basic* thing to understand about the theory of evolution is the concept of BRANCHING. If you don't understand branching, you can't understand evolution.

Branching just means that the process of evolution (slow change) can cause a single species to branch into two species. When you hear people say "why are there still monkeys?" these are people who don't understand branching. Man didn't evolve "from" monkeys. Instead modern man and modern monkeys are two different branches from the same ancestor.

If you want me to explain how braching happens, it's pretty easy. But this is already very long so I'll stop here.

I hope that helps. To answer more, we would need more specific questions.

Answer 2

Evolution is simply the change in the gene pool of a species over time. How this change comes about is somewhat more complicated, with random genetic mutation, survival of the fittest, and reproductive success outside the realm of survival all playing a role. But the simple fact is, gene pools DO change over time, and it is hopelessly unrealistic to expect them to not change over time. If there is any change at all in a given species' gene pool, then the species has evolved. It is as simple as that.

Answer 3

1. biology theory of development from earlier forms: the theoretical process by which all species develop from earlier forms of life.
According to this theory, natural variation in the genetic material of a population favors reproduction by some individuals more than others, so that over the generations all members of the population come to possess the favorable traits.
2. biology developmental process: the natural or artificially induced process by which new and different organisms develop as a result of changes in genetic material
3. gradual development: the gradual development of something into a more complex or better form

Answer 4

The evidence for evolution is and has been interpreted from a Philosophical and ideological Bias, The answers given by adherents to Evolution here in R&S is proof of the bias and agenda, Atheism has to have an alternate explanation—other than a Creator—for how the universe and life came into existence.
Darwin once identified himself as a Christian but as a result of some tragedies that took place in his life, he later renounced the Christian faith and the existence of God. Evolution was invented by an atheist.
What is sad is that Christians are falling into this Trap and trying to fit evolution into the Bible (Theistic Evolution) thinking they can make it fit.
Lee Stroble in his video listed below “ The Case for the Creator” stated (5 min. 28 sec into the video) The Case for a Creator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajqH4y8G0MI
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FJ0J0JNU

That “There is no way you can Harmonize Neo Darwinism with Christianity, I could never understand Christians who would say “ Well I believe in God yet I believe in Evolution as well” You see Darwin’s idea about the development of life led to his theory that modern science now generally defines as an undirected process completely devoid of any purpose or plan,”. Now how could God direct an undirected process? How could God have purpose in a plan behind a system that has no plan and no purpose? It just does not make sense.
It didn’t make sense to me in 1966 and it doesn’t make sense to me now.
The Apostle Paul wrote to His Son Timothy stating that “ in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Those Christians who believe in evolution have no idea how that effects their theology.
What is theistic evolution?
http://www.gotquestions.org/theistic-evolution.html


Eternity is a Long Time to be wrong about this

What Hath Darwin Wrought?
http://www.whathathdarwinwrought.com/

Darwin's Deadly Legacy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qHb3uq1O0Q
Darwin & Eugenics....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuTPHvedOOU&feature=related

Creation In The 21st Century - Planet Earth Is Special 1 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyUjhgsEJFw

Creation in the 21st Century - The Evidence Disputes Darwin 1 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbCbfzmhAN8

Some modern scientists who have accepted the biblical account of Creation
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/

More than 600 Scientist with PHD’s who have Signed A SCIENTIFIC DISSENT FROM DARWINISM
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?id=660

Answer 5

Scientist hypothesizes-evolution is when the environment en-voles with the environment that it lives in. For example: the deep sea has sea life that has evolved for it environment, there is not any light in the deep sea, so there are sea life that illuminates(glows)

religious beliefs (also, my belief)-God created the heaven and the earth, ex: people didn't come from Moneys or cavemen, they came from Adam and Eve. Just ask a physical Dr. if they believe in miracles.

I am a science major, Biotechnology.
Have a good one.

Answer 6

Evolution is the theory of species and survival, and change, dodger, from roger.

The main summation: Natural Selection, Mutation, Variation, Replication.

Answer 7

It's the change in the general genetic makeup of a population over time eventually leading to a subset of a species not being able to breed with the species it descended from and produce fertile offspring, making that subset a new species unto itself.

But, the quick and dirty answer textbook answer is "change in allelle frequency in populations over time"

Answer 8

Evolution is the theory that over millions of years species gradually change to fit the needs of their enviroments, like a butterfly changings its color scheme to evade a new species of bird. Traits that allow a species to survive are passed down until most animals in the species carry them.

Answer 9

Evolution is the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms.

Answer 10

Change in allele frequency in a population over time.