Evolution is one of the greatest theories in all of science, so say all. It sets out to explain life: specifically, how the first simplest form of life gave rise to all of the huge diversity we see today, from bacteria to oak trees to blue whales. Why are biologists so certain about this? What is the evidence? Is it like this: Given enough time, these changes mount up and lead to the appearance of new species and new types of organism, one small change at a time? Step by step, worms became fish, fish came onto land and developed four legs, those four-legged animals grew hair and – eventually – some of them started walking around on two legs, called themselves "humans" and discovered evolution.
If that so, evolution is not a phenomenon of the past. It is an active process occurring even now. The emergence of new strains of influenza, drug-resistant cancer cells, and pesticide-resistant insects demonstrate that the genetic makeup of populations changes over time by the process of natural selection. Within the population of influenza viruses, for example, some viruses are naturally resistant to the drugs used to treat them. As a result, the resistant viruses survive and reproduce and new influenza vaccines must be created to treat the newly evolved strain. Laboratory experiments also demonstrate evolution in action. Using rapidly reproducing species such as bacteria, yeast, and fruit flies, scientists have shown that altering the environmental conditions in which these organisms exist can induce genetic changes within the population.
What about humans? What signs can we see here? I think we are looking at humans as another form of life. No, humans differ from other forms of life. They keep finding problems for themselves, in the shape of solutions to existing problems. This act, what could be loosely termed thinking, effectively, turns human into an altruistic animal. And we constantly see, our ideas and thoughts undergoing transformation contnuously. In the visible sphere, one area this can be most easily felt is, fashion. More inclusive aspects of this can be seen in matters that keep our society engaged at any given time. Like presently, the attraction we show to everything 'natural'.
If that so, evolution is not a phenomenon of the past. It is an active process occurring even now. The emergence of new strains of influenza, drug-resistant cancer cells, and pesticide-resistant insects demonstrate that the genetic makeup of populations changes over time by the process of natural selection. Within the population of influenza viruses, for example, some viruses are naturally resistant to the drugs used to treat them. As a result, the resistant viruses survive and reproduce and new influenza vaccines must be created to treat the newly evolved strain. Laboratory experiments also demonstrate evolution in action. Using rapidly reproducing species such as bacteria, yeast, and fruit flies, scientists have shown that altering the environmental conditions in which these organisms exist can induce genetic changes within the population.
What about humans? What signs can we see here? I think we are looking at humans as another form of life. No, humans differ from other forms of life. They keep finding problems for themselves, in the shape of solutions to existing problems. This act, what could be loosely termed thinking, effectively, turns human into an altruistic animal. And we constantly see, our ideas and thoughts undergoing transformation contnuously. In the visible sphere, one area this can be most easily felt is, fashion. More inclusive aspects of this can be seen in matters that keep our society engaged at any given time. Like presently, the attraction we show to everything 'natural'.
Which essentially is another wayside stop for evolution?
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