Darwin’s theory of evolution was every species of animal comes from one beginning organism and that evolution occurs through a process called natural selection. Natural selection is the process where populations of living organisms adapt and change depending on their environments. some organisms have traits better suited to the environment than others. So, those that have better traits will typically survive longer than those with worse traits. and through generations, the species will evolve and only the ones with the special and better traits will survive. Although Darwin knew a lot, he had little knowledge of genetics. he saw the evolving factor, but he didn’t really understand the concept. The discovery of DNA and of how genes code for particular biological or behavioural qualities, as well as how genes are passed down from parents to offspring, become common knowledge. “Modern evolutionary synthesis” refers to the introduction of genetics into Darwin’s theory. Natural selection happens from physical and behavioural changes that take place at DNA and genes within gametes; through which parents pass on genetic material to their offspring (Mutations). Random errors in DNA replication or repair, as well as chemical or radiation damage, can result in mutations. Mutations are usually either very bad or neutral, however in rare cases, a mutation may be helpful to the organism. If this is the case, it will spread across the population and become more frequent in the next generation. Evolution is practically a species DNA changing over many generations.
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An example of this would be the Galapagos tortoises. the Tortoises on the Galapagos Islands have different shells based on where they were living. The Tortoises on one island had shells that looked like a dome structure and this was because their food source was on the ground which was pretty easy to eat. The shell of a tortoise on another island looked like a saddle and this is because they need to lift their head up very high to get their food.
The Galapagos finches are another example of evolution and what Darwin observed on his voyage. All the finches on Galapagos island originally came from one finch from the mainland but after getting separated onto different islands they all evolved to adapt to their new environments. All the finches developed different types of beaks depending on what their food source on the island was. So, on the island with large hard seeds, the finches had evolved to have short tough and large beaks to break the seeds. Then on the island with flowers and nectar; the finches evolved to have long and thin beaks to reach the nectar inside the flower.
Supporting Darwin’s theory, DNA has shown use that all organisms on land have come from a walking fish millions of years ago. When the embryos of many different land animals were observed it could be seen that they all look very similar and that they all even have gills. This is concrete evidence that we all come from a fish. The scientists have tracked the fish back and called it Tiktaalik. They believed that Tiktaalik arrived on land to escape predators in the waters.
how does it change the way we view evolution today?
Now that DNA has been discovered we are able to trace back our heritage and see where we as a species truly came from. DNA in evolution has also been groundbreaking with discoveries and we learned so much about our earth and we have gained a lot of vital knowledge. Also these days it’s important to study human evolution, not only to understand where we came from, but also why humans get so many diseases that aren’t seen in other species. DNA and evolution is only the beginning of a much larger thing.
how does it change the way we view evolution in the future?
We still to this day do not know everything about DNA and genetics however as technology gets better and better, we gain a greater understanding. Understanding of what exactly makes us different from one and another. In the future, we will be able to use the knowledge and foundation of evolution and break boundaries to discover more and more about our past and how things and organisms came to be.
sources:
https://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html#section-what-is-modern-evolutionary-synthesis
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/human-evolution-dna-natural-selection-dna-genetic-mutation-why-a8641536.html
https://www.mun.ca/biology/scarr/Adaptation_in_Darwins_Finches.html
https://connectedbio.org/resources/adaptation-populations.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-saddleback-galapagos-tortoise-chelonoidis-nigra-hoodensis-mature-male-125263020.html
http://www.gogreen.org/blog/revival-of-giant-galapagos-tortoise-populations-the-success-story-of-diego-1
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/darwins-finches
https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/publicrelations/pressreleases/120417tortoise.html
https://www.britannica.com/list/what-darwin-got-right-and-wrong-about-evolution
https://medium.com/@humanoriginproject/darwins-theory-of-evolution-in-5-easy-points-7682f47986ad
https://www.apede.org/vqb/saddleback-tortoise-vs-domed-tortoise
What Darwin Never Knew – YouTube Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov00SrBwjKQ
nature.com/articles/442515a
https://fossil.fandom.com/wiki/Tiktaalik
Ms. Mireau