Evolution
From CasGroup
(New page: {{SelfOrg}} '''Evolution''' generally refers to any process of gradual or incremental change over time. In the context of biology and life science, evolution is one of the most basic law...) |
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'''Evolution''' generally refers to any process of gradual or incremental change over time. | '''Evolution''' generally refers to any process of gradual or incremental change over time. | ||
| - | In the context of biology and life science, evolution is one of the most basic laws which | + | In the context of biology and life science, [[Biological Evolution|biological evolution]] is one of the most basic laws which |
describes a change in the genetic makeup of a population as a result of natural selection. | describes a change in the genetic makeup of a population as a result of natural selection. | ||
It is the process by which all forms of plant and animal life change slowly over time because | It is the process by which all forms of plant and animal life change slowly over time because | ||
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Thus the three major principles of evolution are | Thus the three major principles of evolution are | ||
| - | # Variation | + | # Variation (Modification, Recombination) |
| - | # | + | # Inheritance (Descent, Replication) |
| - | # Selection | + | # Natural Selection (Survival of the Fittest) |
| - | Evolution requires 1.) a '''source of variation''' and diversity in form of recombination or mutation 2.) a '''source of continuity''' in form of replication or reproduction, and 3.) a '''source of purpose''' or function through selective pressure in form of natural selection, adaptation or "survival of the fittest". Natural selection results in a process of [[Adaptation|adaptation]]. | + | Evolution means '''descent with modifications''', or inheritance with variation. It requires 1.) a '''source of variation''' and diversity in form of recombination or mutation 2.) a '''source of continuity''' in form of replication or reproduction, and 3.) a '''source of purpose''' or function through selective pressure in form of natural selection, adaptation or "survival of the fittest". Natural selection results in a process of [[Adaptation|adaptation]]. [[Speciation]] is the evolutionary process by which new biological species arise. |
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| + | The principle of evolutionary relationship means related species have evolved from a common ancestor, and new species always come from pre-existing species. Taken to the extreme, this means every organic being evolved from a common ancestor. Charles Darwin proposed the theory of universal common descent through an evolutionary process in his book "On the Origin of Species", saying, "Therefore I should infer from analogy that probably all the organic beings which have ever lived on this earth have descended from some one primordial form, into which life was first breathed". | ||
== Application == | == Application == | ||
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*[http://www.bartleby.com/11/ Origin of Species] (Vol. XI. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14; Bartleby.com, 2001) | *[http://www.bartleby.com/11/ Origin of Species] (Vol. XI. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14; Bartleby.com, 2001) | ||
| - | [[Category:Basic Principles]] [[Category:Evolutionary Principles]] | + | [[Category:Basic Principles]] [[Category:Evolutionary Principles]] [[Category:Evolutionary Systems]] |
