Talk:Introduction to evolution/LeadDraft2
January 2008 sand box for Intro to Evo Lead
Evolution is the process where organisms change over generations, and is the reason why all forms of life on earth are related to each other. Organisms inherit their particular characteristics (their traits) from their parents through genes. Changes (called mutations) in these genes can become a new trait in the offspring of an organism. If a new trait makes these offspring better-suited to their environment, they will be more successful at surviving and reproducing than other organisms. This process is called natural selection and 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{{cn}} of evolution is the diversity of life in the world today.{{cn}}
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 the development of new species from ancestral species, or speciation, 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.
- ^ "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.
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Suggestions
- Add suggestions you'd like to submit for consideration and refinement here. For example, you might have a suggestion that is not ready for an edit to the above lead, but still important enough in your view for others to see, consider, refine, or dismiss.
- 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.