Evolution
From CasGroup
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
'''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 | ||
of slight variations in the genes that one generation passes down to the next. | of slight variations in the genes that one generation passes down to the next. | ||
| - | + | == Principles == | |
Laws (esp. the differential equations from physics) describe the time-evolution of nature: the gradual or incremental change over time. Evolution itself is therefore the most general law, because it can also be applied to cosmic, economic, biological and social systems. In fact, evolution itself is the only thing in the last 14,6 billion years since the universe exist which has not changed significantly. | Laws (esp. the differential equations from physics) describe the time-evolution of nature: the gradual or incremental change over time. Evolution itself is therefore the most general law, because it can also be applied to cosmic, economic, biological and social systems. In fact, evolution itself is the only thing in the last 14,6 billion years since the universe exist which has not changed significantly. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
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 | + | 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. |
| - | - | + | 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 == | ||
| Line 45: | Line 38: | ||
*[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]] |
