neo-Darwinism
Updated selection theory
Neo-Darwinism is the modern synthesis of Darwin's theory of evolution with genetics.
Where Darwin proposed natural selection but couldn't explain how traits were inherited, neo-Darwinism incorporates Mendelian genetics and population genetics to show how genetic variation arises through mutation and recombination, then spreads or disappears through selection and drift.
Neo-Darwinism remains the dominant framework in evolutionary biology.
Replicator maximizing its transmission
- gradualismPhilosophy of incremental change
- genetic determinismHeredity alone shapes traits
- replicatorThing that duplicates
- vehicleMeans of transport
Differential reproductive success
- genetic mutationHeritable DNA sequence change
- survival of the fittestAdaptive advantage perpetuates species
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- sexual selectionTrait-driven reproductive advantage
selection pressure · recombination · Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Remains documenting prehistoric life
- comparative anatomyStudy of structural similarities between organisms
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
- Darwin's finchesAdaptive radiation example birds
- Galapagos IslandsEcuadorian Pacific archipelago
bacterial resistance · endemic species · transitional fossils
selfish gene
Replicator maximizing its transmission
- gradualismPhilosophy of incremental change
- genetic determinismHeredity alone shapes traits
- replicatorThing that duplicates
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- genetic mutationHeritable DNA sequence change
- survival of the fittestAdaptive advantage perpetuates species
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
sexual selection · selection pressure · recombination · Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Charles Darwin
fossil record
Remains documenting prehistoric life
- comparative anatomyStudy of structural similarities between organisms
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
- Darwin's finchesAdaptive radiation example birds
Galapagos Islands · bacterial resistance · endemic species · transitional fossils
epigenetics
Heritable expression changes, sequence intact
- spandrelsTriangular spaces near arches
- evolutionevolution, natural selection, mutation, adaptation, speciation
- -ismsatomism, postmodernism, feminism, Marxism, realism
- scientific theoriesatomic theory, evolution, big bang theory, quantum theory, string theory
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
neo-Darwinismcreationism
Divine origin doctrine
intelligent design · special creation · divine creation · vitalism · essentialism