One of the most heavily debated topics of all time is evolution. However, if evolution were not at work then there would be a loss as to one of the ways that we understand how we all came to be. “Evolution is the change in allele frequencies of a population, which over time produces a population with new or modified characteristics. (Evolution: The Big Picture)” Evolution can be achieved through four different methods: mutation, genetic drift, migration, and natural selection. Out of the four methods, natural selection is most important. Charles Darwin describes natural selection in his book “The Origin of Species”.
For natural selection to occur, there are three requirements that must be met for the desired outcome to be achieved. “The first …show more content…
The reason we as a species deal with diabetes, heart problems, liver malfunctions, and other health related problems is because of what people are eating and not getting enough exercise. When someone becomes obese and that person doesn’t handle the situation properly, then the genetic characteristics of obesity are passed down to the next generation. “Taste preferences directly influence the evolutionary fitness of all animals, because their feeding choices affect the number of offspring they can produce. As a consequence, natural selection can shape feeding behaviors just as it can bring about changes in physical structures. (Animal Behavior: The Big Picture)” We even affect the genetic structure of the next generation simply by what we eat. That means we are responsible if our kids have autism, cancer, and any other …show more content…
“If we look closely, we see many behaviors in the animal world that appear to be altruistic—that is, they seem to come at a cost to the individual performing them while benefiting a recipient. When discussing altruism, we define costs and benefits in terms of their contribution to an individual 's fitness. Take the case of the Australian social spider. After giving birth to about 50 hungry spiderlings, the mother 's body slowly liquefies into a nutritious fluid that the newborn spiders consume. The mother dies, but her offspring start their lives well nourished. The fitness cost to the mother is huge—she is unable to produce any more offspring—but there is a clear benefit to her many gene-bearing recipients. (Selfishness and Altruism toward Relatives and
For natural selection to occur, there are three requirements that must be met for the desired outcome to be achieved. “The first …show more content…
The reason we as a species deal with diabetes, heart problems, liver malfunctions, and other health related problems is because of what people are eating and not getting enough exercise. When someone becomes obese and that person doesn’t handle the situation properly, then the genetic characteristics of obesity are passed down to the next generation. “Taste preferences directly influence the evolutionary fitness of all animals, because their feeding choices affect the number of offspring they can produce. As a consequence, natural selection can shape feeding behaviors just as it can bring about changes in physical structures. (Animal Behavior: The Big Picture)” We even affect the genetic structure of the next generation simply by what we eat. That means we are responsible if our kids have autism, cancer, and any other …show more content…
“If we look closely, we see many behaviors in the animal world that appear to be altruistic—that is, they seem to come at a cost to the individual performing them while benefiting a recipient. When discussing altruism, we define costs and benefits in terms of their contribution to an individual 's fitness. Take the case of the Australian social spider. After giving birth to about 50 hungry spiderlings, the mother 's body slowly liquefies into a nutritious fluid that the newborn spiders consume. The mother dies, but her offspring start their lives well nourished. The fitness cost to the mother is huge—she is unable to produce any more offspring—but there is a clear benefit to her many gene-bearing recipients. (Selfishness and Altruism toward Relatives and