Evolution

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"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]:

  • Bacteria
  • Archaea 
  • Eukarya


References

  1. http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/evolution
  2. Hartl, D.L. and Ruvolo, M. (2011) 'Genetics: Analysis of Genes and Genomes.' 8th edn. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning.