5 Questions
Who conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace
What is evolution?
The change in heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations
What processes act on genetic variation to cause evolution?
Natural selection and genetic drift
What has the process of evolution given rise to at every level of biological organization?
Biodiversity
What are the observable facts that establish evolution by natural selection?
More offspring are often produced than can possibly survive; traits vary among individuals
Study Notes
Evolution by Natural Selection
- Charles Darwin conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Definition of Evolution
- Evolution is the change in the inherited characteristics of a population of organisms over time.
Processes of Evolution
- Genetic variation is acted upon by the following processes to cause evolution:
- Mutation
- Gene flow
- Genetic drift
- Natural selection
Consequences of Evolution
- The process of evolution has given rise to diversity at every level of biological organization, including:
- Molecules
- Cells
- Organisms
- Populations
- Species
- Ecosystems
Evidence for Evolution
- The following observable facts establish evolution by natural selection:
- The fossil record
- Comparative anatomy and embryology
- Molecular biology
- Biogeography
- Observable evolutionary changes in natural populations
Test your knowledge of evolution and the mechanisms driving it with this engaging quiz. Explore concepts such as natural selection, genetic drift, and the origins of biodiversity through a series of thought-provoking questions.
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