The Theory of Evolution

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INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION

What is Evolution? Evolution is the process by which all living things

have developed from primitive organisms through changes occurring over

billions of years, a process that includes all animals and plants. Exactly how

evolution occurs is still a matter of debate, but there are many different

theories and that it occurs is a scientific fact. Biologists agree that all living

things come through a long history of changes shaped by physical and

chemical processes that are still taking place. It is possible that all organisms

can be traced back to the origin of Life from one celled organims.

The most direct proof of evolution is the science of Paleontology, or

the study of life in the past through fossil remains or impressions, usually in

rock. Changes occur in living organisms that serve to increase their

adaptability, for survival and reproduction, in changing environments.

Evolution apparently has no built-in direction purpose. A given kind of

organism may evolve only when it occurs in a variety of forms differing in

hereditary traits, that are passed from parent to offspring. By chance, some

varieties prove to be ill adapted to their current environment and thus

disappear, whereas others prove to be adaptive, and their numbers increase.

The elimination of the unfit, or the 'survival of the fittest,' is known as

Natural Selection because it is nature that discards or favors a

articular being. Evolution takes place only when natural selection

operates on a

population of organisms containing diverse inheritable forms.

HISTORY

Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertuis (1698-1759) was the first

to

propose a general theory of evolution. He said that hereditary material,

consisting of particles, was transmitted from parents to offspring. His

opinion

of the part played...