The Theory of Evolution
Have we ever given a thought on why there are various organisms that simply differ by very few characteristics? We might have seen the spiders in our house, a few of them are thin while there are a few others that are large with feathered legs. Similarly, the birds that swim in the water have the webbed limbs while those that fly in the sky have wings and simple clawed limbs. These might sound extremely simple to us at the time, but years ago, they were the most noted differences that not many people had noted in the earlier times. Hence going through these variations in the times when not many people were aware about evolution and science, the theory of Evolution was given by Charles Darwin.
Today, learning about adaptations, modifications and mutations is easier for us with the study of the genetic codes of the organisms. Today, we can even know about the various changes in the codes that resulted into a new characteristic and thus a new organism similar to the descendant. But, observing the various minor changes in the numerous organisms was not at all an easy task in the previous times. It was tremendously time consuming, needed too much attention and focus and most importantly required a lot of thought in positively observing the various changes in the organisms.
In the Galapagos Island, Charles Darwin observed the biodiversity in the organisms as well as the various plants. He very narrowly observed these changes and thus gave us The Theory of Evolution.
The theory of evolution given by Darwin includes five hypotheses that completely describe in details and with reasons the theory of evolution. The five hypotheses include of:
• Evolution: Things keep changing in this world for a better future. A few of these changes are non reversible changes and remain in the same way for an entire time. This change is what we term as evolution.
• Common descent: Based on the various researches, it if known that all organisms have a common descent. Although, we have all descended from a common ancestor, we have diverse features from our other related organisms due to differences in our needs to survive. Mutations in the parts of the genetic codes of our ancestors have given rise to the various descendents. These changes occurred due to our changing surroundings and requisites.
• Multiplication of species: Another hypotheses, describing the theory of evolution is that the species split differently due to the various geographical isolations of the original species which thus gave rise to new species with other additional features.
• Gradualism: With the changing time, a gradual change in the population of the species occurred, which was caused due to the existence of the new species. Thus, finally with the variance in the population, the stronger and the better species descended further based on the hypotheses of natural selection and thus gave rise to a new species.
• Natural selection: From amongst the various species existing, nature selects only those species that are strong and can fight against the adverse natural conditions. The nature selects the ones that have high resistance power and can fight against all the odds coming their way. It follows the law of survival of the fittest and thus gives the best species to the world to move ahead with time and give rise to better species and organisms in the future.