Charles Darwin Essay

natural selection (Coyne, p.3). Of course, this is a modern definition of evolution, informed by scientific discoveries that have helped shape the understanding of the age of the earth in comparison to the ages of plant and animal species. When Darwin first proposed the theory of evolution, it did not begin with an understanding of the earth’s age and was not backed by as much evidence from the fossil record. Instead, he began with the premise that plant and animal species evolve. This…

'Lamarck and Darwin were naturalists who theorised the evolution of species' characteristics. They arrived at some common conclusions, but also differed in certain important respects. We can illustrate their similarities and differences by considering the nature o Lamarck’s theory in relation to the evolution of species characteristics to explain the relationship that exists between a living being and the environment they live in. Through his observations, he observed that if a living being is…

Lastly, I want to take a look at Evolutionary Stigma. This theory is one that I’m torn on. While I do see aspects of evolution that could tie into stigma and prejudice, I’m not sure how much they apply to the modern world. In the days of our ancestors, it was critical to stick with the in-group. Our lives literally depended on it. In today’s world, however, people don’t have to go to such extremes to survive. As stated above, I think that if these prejudices have been reduced to…

I have just finished a wonderful book! The end of evolution is a realistic fiction book by Peter Ward. In this book he describes the two greater mass extinction in the history of our planet and compare them to the mass extinction presently occurring in our world. He give a really good point about both side of the history for us to understand the subject. Peter Ward is professor of geological science, adjunct professor of zoology, and curator of paleontology at the University of Washington in…

David Livingstone was a missionary to the African natives and a famous explorer who traveled all over the African continent. He was born on march 19th, 1893 to Neil and Agnes Livingstone. They lived in the town of Blantyre located in Scotland. As a child, David loved nature and in his spare time would explore the countryside looking for different types of plants and animals. He also read many scientific books. His father, who was a very strong Christian, read many theological books. He was…

evolutionary trend that causes this increase because for many species, having a bigger body size results in an increase in fitness. However, there are several changes that occurred in the Equidae family that are as significant to evolution as body size. The discovery of Equidae fossils worldwide has provided excellent evidence of the evolution which has affected many characteristics of the family. An example of one or the most notable alternations seen between the first ancestor, the Eohippus…

Selection is the idea that individuals in a given population with certain traits will survive and produce more offspring because they have certain desired traits. In turn, this will create a change in the population. There are three main ingredients that are necessary for selection to occur within a population. These three ingredients are variation, differential success, and heredity. Variation is the differences among individuals in the composition of their genes. Genes are what determine…

Agouti Gene and Natural Selection In “Adaptive Evolution of Multiple Traits through Multiple Mutations at a Single Gene” by Catherine R. Linnen et al. the article discussed how mutations of multiple traits from a single gene led species to thrive in their environment. The research was based upon the phenotype of light-colored mice being selectively advantageous on the sand soils of Nebraska Hills. The fur of the mice evolved into a light- pigmentation to prevent from being attacked by predators.…

Eugenics is choosing traits in order to make all of society “better”. This practice has a terrible reputation because it was practiced by the Nazi’s in order to create a master race. Hence, why they exterminated those with mental and physical incapacities. It was also encouraged for those who worked within the regime to make sure their partners had good genetics with a healthy family history. According to the Deutsche Welle, thousands of people were forcibly sterilized because their genetics…

Darwin’s theory of evolution and natural selection are concepts well known by most people. Evolution being a change in a population over time and natural selection essentially coming down to survival of the fittest and being a key mechanism of evolution. In the case of seahorses, rather the 54 species of marine fishes in the genus Hippocampus, the male and female seahorses have evolved a series of unusual adaptations for the purpose of increasing their overall fitness. A common misconception…