Evolution

Evolution is the theory that stipulates that life began as a single cell. Over time, with the struggle to survive the environment, organisms changed to the multitude of life forms that exist today. The mechanisms responsible for driving the evolutionary process are mutations, which are permanent changes in the organism's genetic code and sexual reproduction. One important thing to remember, in order for the organism to evolve, it must first survive or be selected. It must have some favorable traits that allow it to survive changes in its surrounding. To learn more about the theory of evolution, go to the following links.

EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION2

ADAPTATION

Quiz

• What are the mechanisms that drive the evolutionary process?
  
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• How does adaptation leads to evolution?
  
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• What happens when an organism fails to adapt?
  
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• Explain Darwin's proposed explanation for Natural Selection.
  

Competition and Natural Selection

In nature, organisms tend to overproduce. In a given population, there is always variations among individuals. During competition, organisms that have favorable traits for this task will survive and are said to be selected. These organisms will reproduce and pass on those traits to their offspring. Thus, the frequency of organisms with those traits will increase. Note: only the offspring or organisms that survive will eventually evolve. To learn more, go to the following link.

COMPETITION AND NATURAL SELECTION

NATURAL SELECTION

Darwin's Proposed Explanation of Natural Selection

• In Nature, organisms produce more offspring than can survive.
• In any population, individuals have variations.
• Individuals with favorable variations survive, reproduce and pass on those traits
• Overtime, offspring with certain variations make up most of the population and may look entirely different from their ancestors.

To check your understanding of Darwin's explanation, go to this link and problem #12

Darwin's Theory

HEREDITY

Heredity is the passing of traits ( genes) from parents to offspring. For example, your eye color, your hair texture and your height are traits or characteristics that you inherit or receive from your mom and your dad. To read more, click this link. HEREDITY

To further your understanding on how traits are inherited, click this link.
MENDELIAN GENETICS