History of Species

	Revision 13 . . December 19, 2001 12:27 am by Ed Poor [linkifed some terms]
	Revision 12 . . December 19, 2001 12:23 am by (logged).123.179.xxx [*added talk]
	Revision 11 . . (edit) December 18, 2001 4:28 am by Ap
	Revision 10 . . December 18, 2001 4:27 am by Ap
	Revision 9 . . (edit) December 18, 2001 2:28 am by Slrubenstein
	Revision 8 . . December 18, 2001 1:44 am by Ed Poor [took "creationists" out of scare quotes -> link at para end]
	Revision 7 . . (edit) December 18, 2001 1:29 am by Slrubenstein
	Revision 6 . . December 13, 2001 6:13 am by (logged).235.232.xxx
	Revision 5 . . (edit) October 27, 2001 1:56 am by AxelBoldt

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Difference (from prior major revision) (no other diffs)

Changed: 5c5

Charles Darwin provided what scientists now consider the most powerful and compelling theory of evolution. Basically, he argued that it is populations that evolve, not individuals. He pointed out that variation occurs naturally among organisms. Following [Thomas Malthus]?, he suggested that population would often exceed the amount of food available, and that some organisms would die. Darwin suggested that those organisms that would die would be those less adapted to their environment, and that those that survived -- and reproduced -- would be those best adapted to their environment.

Charles Darwin provided what scientists now consider the most powerful and compelling theory of evolution. Basically, he argued that it is populations that evolve, not individuals. He pointed out that variation occurs naturally among organisms. Following [Thomas Malthus]?, he suggested that population would often exceed the amount of food available, and that some organisms would die. Darwin suggested that those organisms that would die would be those less adapted to their environment, and that those that survived -- and reproduced -- would be those best adapted to their environment.

Changed: 7c7

These survivors would not pass acquired traits on to their offspring; they would pass their inherited traits on to their offspring. But since the environment effectively selected which organisms would live to reproduce, the environment would select which traits would be passed on. This is the theory of evolution by "natural selection." For example, among a group of animals some have longer necks, others have shorter necks. If all the leaves are high up, those with shorter necks will die; those with longer necks will thrive. This process is evident today as resistant strains of bacteria evolve.

These survivors would not pass acquired traits on to their offspring; they would pass their inherited traits on to their offspring. But since the environment effectively selected which organisms would live to reproduce, the environment would select which traits would be passed on. This is the theory of evolution by "natural selection." For example, among a group of animals some have longer necks, others have shorter necks. If all the leaves are high up, those with shorter necks will die; those with longer necks will thrive. This process is evident today as resistant strains of bacteria evolve.

Changed: 9c9

The development of the field of genetics (many years after Darwin) has revealed the mechanisms that generate variation as well as those through which traits are passed on from generation to generation.

The development of the field of genetics (many years after Darwin) has revealed the mechanisms that generate variation as well as those through which traits are passed on from generation to generation.

Changed: 25c25

/Talk?

/Talk?