Paper Example on Darwin's Theory of Evolution

Introduction

The theory of evolution by natural selection suggested that living things respond to changes in the environment in physical or behavioral forms. Living things change to give themselves a better chance of surviving and adapting in a constantly changing environment. These changes can include changes in color and size or development of a new species. The theory comprises two points. First, there are different forms of life that are interdependent. This interdependence can be explained by the food chain where living organisms are ranked but depend on each other for survival. Secondly, the different forms of life are as a result of changes due to natural selection with the environment favoring certain characteristics. For example, there are two types of camels, one with one hump, and another with two humps. The different environmental conditions led to changes to adapt to harsh climatic conditions.

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The phrase 'survival of the fittest' is misleading as some people misconstrue the word fitness to refer to how strong or athletic an individual is. However, fitness refers to the ability of a living thing to survive and reproduce. Therefore the fittest organism is not the strongest one, but the one with the highest chances of surviving.

Sexual selection is a form of evolution by natural selection where living things change to attract mates. Living things develop certain features or behave in a specific manner to be the most desirable mate. Human beings dress differently and style their hair differently to attract spouses. Male peacocks also use their feathers to attract female peacocks. Peacocks with more attractive feathers easily attract mates, thus enhancing their chances of survival through reproduction.

Two other biologists contributed to the theory of evolution. The first biologist was from France, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, who suggested that offsprings could inherit certain traits from their parents. The other biologist from Britain was Alfred Russel Wallace, who was responsible for the theory of natural selection.

The modern evolutionary synthesis is a revised form of the theory of evolution by natural selection to include genetics. After Darwin came up with the theory, it was later discovered that the changes he referred to were genetic changes. When biologists suggest that the nose of whales moved back on their heads, it means that there were changes in the genetic make-up of the organisms. These changes are referred to as mutations, which are caused by chemicals, radiation, and errors in DNA replication. Some of these mutations, as in the case of the whales, are advantageous to organisms as they help them adapt to the environment. These mutations are inherited by offsprings, as Lamarck suggested, and the characteristics evolve even further across generations.

Conclusion

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the theory of evolution. The validity of evolution has been a subject of heated debate for many years. Before any evidence was found to support evolution, people disregarded it. However, the study of genetics and the discovery of fossil fuels has provided substantial evidence to support evolution. However, some people remain adamant that evolution did not occur. Religion has been at the heart of the controversy, with many religions attributing the different forms of life on earth to a higher being. For example, Christians believe that God created human beings, vegetation, and animals. Therefore, some do not believe in evolution as it leads to a clash of beliefs. The controversy has led to a widespread debate as to whether evolution should be taught in school.