January 2008 sand box for Intro to Evo Lead

Biological evolution is the natural process that explains the common relationship of all life on earth now and in the past. It is caused by the slow accumulation of changes in a population of organisms, over successive generations. Organisms can inherit these changes because they have genes, which are pieces of DNA that carry information. Changes (or mutations) in these genes can become a new trait in the offspring of an organism. Because no two organisms have exactly the same traits, they will live and reproduce differently, some more successfully than others. This process—called natural selection—causes favorable traits to become more common. Over many generations, a group of organisms can accumulate so many new traits that it becomes a new species.^[1] The result of four billion years of evolution is the diversity of life in the world today.

Evolutionary biology is the study of evolution, especially the natural processes that account for the variety of organisms, both alive today and long extinct. The understanding of evolutionary biology began with the 1859 publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. The next important step was Gregor Mendel's work with plants, with which he helped to explain the hereditary patterns of genetics. This led to an understanding of the mechanisms of inheritance.^[2] The discovery of the structure of DNA and advances in the field of population genetics provided insight into the source of variations in creatures. Scientists better understand speciation or the development of new species from ancestral species because of modern research. Evolution is the principal theory that governs our understanding of zoology, botany, agriculture, medicine, molecular biology, paleontology, taxonomy and any other scientific field that attempts to understand life.

NOTE: Consider replacing "Because no two organisms have exactly the same traits, they will live and reproduce differently, some more successfully than others" with something that conveys "Organisms live and reproduce differently because no two organisms have exactly the same traits, and some traits provide differential advantages" but worded better.

NOTE: Consider moving second paragraph to a new section?

^ "An introduction to evolution". Understanding Evolution. The University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Rhee, Sue Yon (1999). "Gregor Mendel". Access Excellence. National Health Museum. Retrieved 2008-01-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[1] "An introduction to evolution". Understanding Evolution. The University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[2] Rhee, Sue Yon (1999). "Gregor Mendel". Access Excellence. National Health Museum. Retrieved 2008-01-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

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