Evolution means gradual change over time. In 1859, Charles Darwin wrote a book called On The Origin of Species, where he first stated that the process by which organisms change over time as a result of changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits (Than 1). Organisms change to help them adapt to the environment around them, increasing their chances of survival. Natural selection means that the organisms that adapt better survive longer and produce more offspring. The offspring carry on these adaptations, gradually changing the species over time. Darwin’s theory says that all life has descended from a common ancestor. Evolution happens through natural selection. Although some people believe evolution is not real, there is evidence in fossils,
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Vestigial traits are traits that are no longer essential to life of an organism. Since they are no longer needed, they are gradually taken out of the organism’s genetic profile. Perfect examples of vestigial traits are all over the human body. The human body has many parts that they simply do not need today like they once did millions of years ago. The appendix, tonsils, wisdom teeth, and tail bones are all examples in the human body that are no longer needed. Parts of the body are not the only thing vestigial, different kinds of behaviors or reflexes are as well. An example of a vestigial behavior in humans is the Palmar Grasp Reflex. If one puts his or her finger in an infant’s hand, it is immediately grasped tightly by the baby. An infant will grasp a finger with its toes if a finger is put along them as well. Some believe infants behave this way because it is a “remnant of the grasping reflex seen in other infant primates, which they use to hold on to the hair of their mothers as they’re being carried about” (whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com). Because apes are the human’s ancestor, this reflex has been passed down to humans even though it is no longer needed. Infants do not need this grip to hold on to their mother. Another example of vestigial traits are the wings on flightless birds, like an ostrich or an emu. Wings are useless to a flightless bird, but they were passed on from their …show more content…
He called this process evolution through natural selection. Animals have changed over time to adapt to their environment. They have to in order to stay alive and reproduce. The organisms that adapt the better survive longer. Animals make these adaptations and changes, and their offspring carry them on, changing the species slowly over many years. Many people today still do not believe in the process of evolution and natural selection. It happens before their eyes everyday, and it has been proven through ancient fossils, vestigial traits, and
Vestigial traits are traits that are no longer essential to life of an organism. Since they are no longer needed, they are gradually taken out of the organism’s genetic profile. Perfect examples of vestigial traits are all over the human body. The human body has many parts that they simply do not need today like they once did millions of years ago. The appendix, tonsils, wisdom teeth, and tail bones are all examples in the human body that are no longer needed. Parts of the body are not the only thing vestigial, different kinds of behaviors or reflexes are as well. An example of a vestigial behavior in humans is the Palmar Grasp Reflex. If one puts his or her finger in an infant’s hand, it is immediately grasped tightly by the baby. An infant will grasp a finger with its toes if a finger is put along them as well. Some believe infants behave this way because it is a “remnant of the grasping reflex seen in other infant primates, which they use to hold on to the hair of their mothers as they’re being carried about” (whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com). Because apes are the human’s ancestor, this reflex has been passed down to humans even though it is no longer needed. Infants do not need this grip to hold on to their mother. Another example of vestigial traits are the wings on flightless birds, like an ostrich or an emu. Wings are useless to a flightless bird, but they were passed on from their …show more content…
He called this process evolution through natural selection. Animals have changed over time to adapt to their environment. They have to in order to stay alive and reproduce. The organisms that adapt the better survive longer. Animals make these adaptations and changes, and their offspring carry them on, changing the species slowly over many years. Many people today still do not believe in the process of evolution and natural selection. It happens before their eyes everyday, and it has been proven through ancient fossils, vestigial traits, and