The Berkeley Evolution Site<br /><br />Teachers and students who visit the Berkeley site will find a wealth of resources to aid in understanding and teaching evolution. The resources are arranged into different learning paths like "What did T. rex taste like?"<br /><br />Charles Darwin's theory on natural selection explains how creatures who are better equipped to adapt to changes in their environments survive longer and those that don't disappear. This process of evolution is what science is all about.<br /><br /><br /><br />What is Evolution?<br /><br />The term "evolution" could be used to refer to a variety of nonscientific meanings. For example it could refer to "progress" and "descent with modifications." Scientifically it refers to a process of change in the characteristics of living things (or species) over time. In biological terms this change is based on natural selection and genetic drift.<br /><br />Evolution is a fundamental concept in the field of biology today. It is a concept that has been tested and proven through thousands of scientific tests. Contrary to other theories of science like the Copernican theory or the germ theory of disease, the evolution theory is not a discussion of religious belief or the existence of God.<br /><br />Early evolutionists such as Erasmus Darwin (Charles’s grandfather) and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck believed that certain physical traits were predetermined to evolve in a step-like fashion over time. They referred to this as the "Ladder of Nature" or the scala naturae. Charles Lyell first used this term in 1833 in his Principles of Geology.<br /><br />In the early 1800s, Darwin formulated his theory of evolution and published it in his book On the Origin of Species. It states that all species of organisms share an ancestry that can be traced through fossils and other lines of evidence. This is the current understanding of evolution that is supported by many research lines in science, including molecular genetics.<br /><br />Scientists don't know how organisms have evolved however they are certain that natural selection and genetic drift are the reason for the development of life. People with desirable traits are more likely to live and reproduce. They then pass their genes to the next generation. As time passes the gene pool slowly changes and develops into new species.<br /><br />Some scientists use the term evolution in reference to large-scale change, such as the development of one species from an ancestral one. Certain scientists, such as population geneticists, define the term "evolution" in a broad sense, using the term "net change" to refer to the variation in the frequency of alleles over generations. Both definitions are accurate and acceptable, however certain scientists argue that allele frequency definitions do not include important aspects of evolutionary process.<br /><br />Origins of Life<br /><br />A key step in evolution is the emergence of life. This occurs when living systems begin to develop at the micro level - within cells, for example.<br /><br />The origin of life is an issue in a variety of disciplines that include biology, chemistry, and geology. The nature of life is a subject that is of immense interest to scientists, as it challenges the theory of evolution. It is often referred to "the mystery" of life or "abiogenesis."<br /><br />The idea that life could be born from non-living objects was referred to as "spontaneous generation" or "spontaneous evolutionary". It was a popular belief before Louis Pasteur's experiments proved that the emergence of living organisms was not possible by a natural process.<br /><br />Many scientists believe it is possible to transition from nonliving substances to living ones. The conditions required to create life are difficult to reproduce in a lab. Researchers who are interested in the origins and evolution of life are also eager to understand the physical properties of the early Earth as well as other planets.<br /><br />Additionally, the evolution of life is dependent on a sequence of very complex chemical reactions that can't be predicted based on basic physical laws alone. These include the reading and the replication of complex molecules, like DNA or RNA, to create proteins that serve a specific function. These chemical reactions can be compared to a chicken-and egg problem: the emergence and development of DNA/RNA, protein-based cell machinery, is necessary for the onset life. But, without life, the chemistry needed to make it possible appears to be working.<br /><br />Abiogenesis research requires collaboration with scientists from different disciplines. This includes prebiotic scientists, astrobiologists and planetary scientists.<br /><br />Evolutionary Changes<br /><br />The term "evolution" is used to describe the general changes in genetic traits over time. These changes may be the result of the adaptation to environmental pressures as described in Darwinism.<br /><br />The latter is a mechanism that increases the frequency of those genes that offer a survival advantage over others which results in gradual changes in the appearance of a population. These evolutionary changes are triggered by mutations, reshuffling of genes during sexual reproduction and gene flow.<br /><br />While reshuffling and mutation of genes are common in all organisms The process through which beneficial mutations are more frequent is referred to as natural selection. As mentioned above, those with the beneficial trait have a higher reproduction rate than those who do not. This difference in the number of offspring born over many generations can result in a gradual change in the average number of beneficial characteristics in a group.<br /><br />This is evident in the evolution of various beak shapes for finches from the Galapagos Islands. They have developed these beaks in order that they can access food more quickly in their new home. These changes in shape and form can also aid in the creation of new species.<br /><br />Most of the changes that take place are caused by a single mutation, but occasionally several will happen at the same time. Most of these changes are neither harmful nor even harmful to the organism, however, a small proportion of them can be beneficial to the longevity and reproduction of the species, thus increasing the frequency of these changes in the population over time. Natural selection is a process that could result in the accumulation of change over time that leads to the creation of a new species.<br /><br /><a href="https://evolutionkr.kr/">Evolution KR</a> confuse the notion of evolution with the idea that the traits inherited from parents can be altered through conscious choice, or through use and abuse, a concept known as soft inheritance. This is a misinterpretation of the nature of evolution and of the actual biological processes that trigger it. A more accurate description is that evolution involves a two-step process, that involves the distinct and often antagonistic forces of natural selection and mutation.<br /><br />Origins of Humans<br /><br />Modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved from primates - a species of mammals that also includes chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos. The earliest human fossils indicate that our ancestors were bipeds. They were walking on two legs. Genetic and biological similarities suggest that we have a close relationship with the chimpanzees. In fact, our closest relatives are the chimpanzees of the Pan genus. This includes pygmy, as well as bonobos. The last common ancestor between modern humans and chimpanzees dated between 8 and 6 million years old.<br /><br />Humans have developed a range of characteristics over time including bipedalism, the use of fire, and the development of advanced tools. However, it is only in the past 100,000 years or so that the majority of the important traits that distinguish us from other species have emerged. These include a large brain that is complex and the capacity of humans to create and use tools, and cultural diversity.<br /><br />The process of evolution is when genetic changes allow members of the group to better adapt to their environment. This adaptation is driven by natural selection, a process whereby certain traits are favored over others. The ones who are better adaptable are more likely to pass their genes on to the next generation. This is the process that evolves all species, and it is the basis of the theory of evolution.<br /><br />Scientists call it the "law of Natural Selection." The law states that species which have a common ancestor are likely to acquire similar traits in the course of time. This is because these traits allow them to live and reproduce in their environment.<br /><br />Every organism has a DNA molecule that is the source of information that helps guide their growth and development. The structure of DNA is made of base pairs arranged in a spiral around sugar and phosphate molecules. The sequence of bases found in each strand determines the phenotype, the characteristic appearance and behavior of an individual. The variations in a population are caused by reshufflings and mutations of genetic material (known collectively as alleles).<br /><br />Fossils of the first human species, Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis have been discovered in Africa, Asia, and Europe. Despite some differences, these fossils all support the notion that modern humans first appeared in Africa. Genetic and fossil evidence also suggest that early humans migrated from Africa into Asia and then Europe.<br /><br />