Natural Selection
In suggesting the process of natural selection as the means resulting in evolution, Charles Darwin shows how evolutionary changes have occurred in organisms. Genetic change through time Understanding natural selection is paramount to our comprehension of evolution. is a much more accepted than the theory man has evolved from apes. Despite the fact that we are unable to prove without a shadow of doubt that man has evolved from apes, natural selection is relevant to the changes that have occurred over the years in humans.Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection was based on two observations, first the fact that all species exhibit variability, for example height, colour, etc. Secondly all organisms than survive to reproduce. To understand why natural selection is much more acceptable than the idea of evolution from apes, we must first understand the Principles of Natural selection. The first principle of natural selection is that a species must be capable of reproduction of more than enough offspring to replace itself. Secondly, the environment may affect ones chances of survival. Third, because each individual is unique some may have more chances of survival than another. Lastly, the ability to adapt to ones environment incre
The reproductive capacity of most organisms is enormous compared to the number of offspring that reach maturity in each generation. For example spiders can produce hundreds of offspring, dogs and cats produce fourteen or more offspring in a litter and human beings may produce ten or more offspring in a lifetime. It is this reproductive capability that fulfills the first of Darwin's principles. By reproducing we are continuing the life cycle allowing for more of each creature to exist in the future. It is the objective of each organism to try to ensure the future existence of its species through reproduction. It is this objective that explains attraction to the opposite sex and why certain traits are selected for in a mate. Although it seems the selection of a mate is random, it actually has more to do with ensuring the survival of ones gene pool than we realize. Humans select unconsciously according to what we believe to be the traits that will be selected for by nature. However, if all the offspring were to survive, the biosphere would be so crowded that eventually there would be no room for new organisms. So following the first of Darwin's principles, organisms are capable of reproduction, however the second principle keeps overcrowding from happening. What seems so simple was in fact extremely controversial for Darwin's time and still is today in many parts of the western world. Natural selection suggests that life on earth is a result of billions of years of adapting to a changing environment. Fossils of Each organism is an individual and differs from other organisms in many ways. Being diverse keeps the world interesting, but more than that it makes chances for survival unpredictable as well. It is organism's differences that can increase or decrease the probability of survival. If organisms in a niche were all white and a factory was built near the niche depositing black ashes throughout the area, the white organisms would be visible to prey and would be eaten. The only chance of survival would be to have the white organisms produce darker offspring that were adapted to the new environment. It is not enough to reproduce organisms must evolve through reproduction. It is this concept that makes reproduction so competitive. This proves Darwin's thir
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Approximate Word count = 1532
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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