I have read bits and pieces on evolution and its theories.

If someone could simplify it and tell me in a way the average person understands I would be grateful.
Also how much of it has been proven without doubt and how much remains to be researched?
Also if you could give examples of archeological evidence (if any ).


Thanks all

Curlyben

Try this: Evolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

firmbeliever

Thanks CB, I have looked through that, but there are too many scientific terms to comprehend.
I will read through it once more though....

ScottGem

In a nutshell, the theory is based on Darwin's theory of Natural Selection or survival of the fittest. Darwim believed that the best traits would rise to the top and others would fall by the wayside. So life would evolve as mutations resulted in evolution of the species.

ebaines

In a nutshell: variations occur from one generation to the next due to genetic mutations. Usually such mutations are bad - the offspring may die before it has a chance to have babies and pass the mutation on. But once in a great while a mutation may actually improve the chances that the offspring will survive and have babies of its own. For example, consider the case of a bird whose baby has a particular mutation that makes its beak stronger, or longer, and thus it is better able to forage for food than its parents or other siblings. That bird is more likely to thrive, have babies of its own, and thus the mutation gets passed on to subsequent generations. This is the theory of natural selection - those mutations that result in more babies tend to be passed on; those that don't, don't. Pile more and more mutations on over thousands of generations and you can find that the descendant of that original bird have diversified into multiple species.

The archaeological evidence is overwhelming. From the fossil record it's possible to trace the continually-changing march of species. Just one example - the rise of the dinosaurs starting 250 million year ago and lasting up until about 65 million years ago, at which point mammals begin to dominate. There are no fossils of modern mammals that date to the age of the dinosaurs - firm evidence that mammals evolved after the dinosaurs. Also, as time progresses, the fossil record shows more and more diversity of animals - more species - as expected.

firmbeliever

I thought I read somewhere on this forum that Darwin's theory was not the same as what is evolution that is being talked about today...am I right or am I wrong?

Thanks ebaines for your explanation...

ScottGem

the full name is the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

firmbeliever

Is that the same as the original idea presented by Darwin or has it changed in anyway since then.
The natural selection part etc.

From my understanding Darwin proposed this theory because he saw some animals more adepted to certain environments than others, am I wrong in my understanding?

Thanks Scott

ScottGem

There may be tweaks in the thoery since Darwin wrote his book. But the essential points still stand.

NeedKarma