Evolution

Theory of Evolution

The Theory of Evolution is the scientific theory proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace that explains how life on Earth has evolved over millions of years. The core concept of the theory is that all living things have a common ancestor, and through time have adapted to their enviroments through natural selection.Evolution is the transformation of species overtime which includes both changes that occur within species, as well as the origin of the species. The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection revolves around the ideas of adaptation, that an organism with traits that will allow them to adapt to their enviroment better will have a better chance of survival and passing their genes on to the next generation. This natural selection process is what is used to display how different organisms developed from preexisting species into the form they are today.

Evolution has 3 main components: variation occurring randomly among members of a species, an individual’s traits could be inherited by its progeny, and that the struggle for existence allows only those with favorable traits to survive. The theory of evolution by natural selection was first introduced in Charles Darwin's book “On the Origin of Species” in 1859. Only the most fit individuals will be able to reproduce passing on the most favorable traits to its offspring. One curator of human origins at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City said this theory has two main points: “All life on Earth is connected and related to each other,” and the diversity of life is a product of “modifications of populations by natural selection, where some traits were favored in some species and some favored environment over others” (Brian Richmond). This theory of evolution by natural selection is one of the best substantiated theories in the history of science.

Source: www.britannica.com

Human Evolution

Human evolution encompasses a wide variety of species varied from a process that first began with primates which later lead to the current species living on earth known as Homo sapiens. By breaking down evolution from the earliest form of primate to the current human, it is possible to show how evolution has changed for humans by looking at just three species. First is the Australopithecus afarensis, then the Homo erectus, and finally Homo sapiens or the modern human. The advancement between one species and the next in respect to their actions, behavior, and communication is noticeable due to the shape of the skull and size of their brain. A larger and more developed brain allowed a species to create tools, communicate, and as a result, survive longer.

A series of silhouettes showing the progression of evolution from small organisms, to fish, to primative primates, to hominids, to humans.

These three species have different types of skeletal structures which are framed for their current climate and needs for survival. But as the world changed, those species that lacked the new adaptations would not survive and the more advanced species would take over. The changes from one species to the next has not been an easy and short process. Many primates and hominids have lived many more years than modern humans have. While the modern human is the most developed in it’s timeline of ancestors, understanding evolution and how species have changed over time, helps to show that the current human may not be the last in the human evolution timeline.

Sources

Theory of evolution. National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2022, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/theory-evolution

Definitions of Evolutionary Terms. Nationalacademies.org. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.nationalacademies.org/evolution/definitions

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