evolutionary theory
Natural selection framework
Evolutionary theory is the scientific framework explaining how species change over time through natural selection, genetic variation, and adaptation.
First systematically articulated by Charles Darwin, it proposes that organisms better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce, passing advantageous traits to offspring.
The theory unifies biology, explaining the diversity of life and the relationships among species.
Evolutionary theory predicts that isolated populations will diverge over time.
Differential reproductive success
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- variationChange from a norm
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- fitnessGood physical shape
struggle for existence · Galapagos · finches · Beagle · naturalist · Malthusian · tree of life · gradualism
Formation of distinct species
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
- homologyStructural similarity through descent
analogy · clade · sister group · biogeography · endemic · radiation · extinction
Permanent DNA alteration
- genetic driftRandom allele frequency change
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- selection pressureForce favoring certain traits
- recombinationGenetic material exchange process
Organism's complete allele set
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- gene poolSpecies' total genetic diversity
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
heterozygosity · heritability · Mendelian · chromosomal · nucleotide · DNA sequences
Remains documenting prehistoric life
- comparative anatomyStudy of structural similarities between organisms
- embryologyStudy of prenatal development
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
vestigial structures · atavism · genomics · biogeography · radiometric dating · stratigraphy
British naturalist, species theorist
- WallaceAnglo-Norman given name
- MendelFounder of genetics
- neo-DarwinismEvolution merged with genetics
- HaeckelGerman zoologist, Darwin champion
Adaptive resemblance to another
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- ecological nicheSpecies' functional environmental position
- vestigialReduced, without current function
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- variationChange from a norm
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
fitness · struggle for existence · Galapagos · finches · Beagle · naturalist · Malthusian · tree of life · gradualism · sexual selection
speciation
Formation of distinct species
- phylogenyEvolutionary relationships among organisms
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- taxonomyScience of categorical arrangement
homology · analogy · clade · sister group · biogeography · endemic · radiation · extinction
mutation
Permanent DNA alteration
- genetic driftRandom allele frequency change
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- selection pressureForce favoring certain traits
recombination · heritability · bottleneck · coalescence · linkage
genotype
Organism's complete allele set
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- gene poolSpecies' total genetic diversity
polymorphism · heterozygosity · heritability · Mendelian · chromosomal · nucleotide · DNA sequences
fossil record
Remains documenting prehistoric life
- comparative anatomyStudy of structural similarities between organisms
- embryologyStudy of prenatal development
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
morphology · vestigial structures · atavism · genomics · biogeography · radiometric dating · stratigraphy
Darwin
British naturalist, species theorist
- WallaceAnglo-Norman given name
- MendelFounder of genetics
- neo-DarwinismEvolution merged with genetics
Lamarck · Huxley · Haeckel · social Darwinism
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- ecological nicheSpecies' functional environmental position
- vestigialReduced, without current function
- evolutionnatural selection, mutation, adaptation, speciation, fitness
- originsbeginning, birth, creation, source, roots
- DarwinCharles Darwin, natural selection, HMS Beagle, Galapagos, Darwin's finches
- human biologygenetics, DNA analysis, nutrition, human origins, human genetics
- origins debatecreationism, intelligent design, creation science, Darwinism, young earth
- scientific theoriesgeneral relativity, relativity, plate tectonics, special relativity, quantum mechanics
evolutionary theorycreationism
Divine origin doctrine
creation science · intelligent design · divine creation · special creation · creation myth
theory, evolve, evolution, evolving, evolved, theoretical, devolve, evolves, devolution