Evolution
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." - Theodosius Dobzhansky.
The word evolution has has been defined as "the gradual developing of something" [1].
Some argue that evolution is strictly the change over time, in genes and proteins, that occur in a population which allow an organism to be advantageous in it's surrounding environment. Organisms change continuously over time due to random mutations; however, the aforementioned definition incorporates that these changes - the evolution of a certain organism, must be beneficial in terms of it's environment.
Evolutionary changes in metabolism, development and behaviour created three main kingdoms[2][3]:
Causes of evolution are mutation, migration, genetic drift and natural selection.
References
- ↑ http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/evolution
- ↑ Hartl, D.L. and Ruvolo, M. (2011) 'Genetics: Analysis of Genes and Genomes.' 8th edn. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- ↑ University of California Museum of Paleontology. (). Mechanisms of Change. Available: http://www.evolution.berkeley.edu.