What is Evolution? Definition, Meaning & Example
The process of gradual change in the characteristics of populations over successive generations.
TL;DR: The process of gradual change in the characteristics of populations over successive generations.
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Evolution: The process of gradual change in the characteristics of populations over successive generations.
Explanation
Evolution occurs through natural selection, where organisms with traits better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over millions of years, small changes accumulate, leading to the formation of new species. Evidence for evolution includes fossil records showing how ancient organisms differ from modern ones, comparative anatomy showing structural similarities among different species, and DNA evidence proving all life shares common ancestry. The theory of evolution by natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin, explains the diversity of life on Earth.
Example
Peppered moths in England changed from light colored to dark colored during the Industrial Revolution because dark moths survived better on soot-covered trees. When pollution decreased, light moths returned, showing evolution in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is evolution the same as adaptation?
Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive, while evolution is the change in populations over generations through natural selection of these adaptations.
What evidence supports evolution?
Fossil records, similarities in bone structures between different species, DNA similarities among all life, and observed changes in populations like bacteria developing antibiotic resistance all support evolution.
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