Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution: Natural Selection, Evidence, and Implications

Examine Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

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1. Summarize Darwin's ideas that underpin his theory of species evolution via natural selection and provide evidence that substantiates this explanation for the variety and unity of life on Earth.

Response

Introduction:

The planned work critically examines Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in depth. Existence may be elucidated and comprehended as the presence of living beings and the cohabitation of various species that adhere to the clear rules of nature. It is very challenging to comprehend how each living species is distinct, but simultaneously has a crucial commonality. The embryos of several species exhibit significant similarities; nonetheless, the creatures develop into distinct species. The many circumstances under which they evolve and mature tend to alter them. Consequently, it may be said that the varied exterior conditions of existence govern the variety of life (Richards 2016). This assertion is thoroughly elucidated by Charles Darwin over his extensive scientific study career.

The theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, articulated via the mechanism of natural selection, was first presented in his 1859 publication, "On the Origin of Species." It is defined as the process by which living organisms evolve over time due to differences in their inherited physical traits or behavioral characteristics. These modifications enable living organisms to evolve and effectively adapt to their environment, facilitating their survival and reproduction for future generations (Priest 2017).

The theory of evolution by natural selection is regarded as one of the most rigorously confirmed concepts in the history of life sciences. The idea is supported by several pieces of evidence from various scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, genetics, and developmental biology.

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, based on the principle of natural selection, was formulated during his journey to the Galapagos Islands. He noticed 13 distinct kinds of finches on that island, each exhibiting varying beak morphologies. Upon analysis, he determined that the beak variations were attributable to the local food available on the island. The beaks underwent assessment to choose the food accessible in their surroundings. Some beaks were elongated and large, adapted for consuming seeds from cactus plants and fruits, while others were diminutive, suited for foraging seeds from the ground. Darwin recorded the observation and then, in collaboration with another ornithologist, analyzed the data. Upon analyzing the evidence about the development of finch beaks, Darwin encapsulated it as "the survival of the fittest." The concept of survival of the fittest elucidates that the individual that successfully reproduces and adapts to their environment is the one who endures in a harsh natural setting (Morse 2019).

Clearly articulated diversity:

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is thoroughly elucidated and corroborated by further scientific studies focused on the evolutionary history of whales. However, the scientist was unable to demonstrate the precise appearance of whales at the start of life on Earth, since they needed fossils of older whales as evidence to substantiate their claim. Creationists said that the absence of whale fossils indicates the nonexistence of an evolutionary process for whales. Since 1990, scientists have been uncovering facts and evidence to substantiate that whales underwent evolution, referencing Charles Darwin's theory of evolution (Liu and Chen 2018).

In 1994, the scientist obtained a crucial and fundamental piece of proof for their research. A cohort of palaeontologists unearthed the fossilized remains of Ambulocetus natans, a creature from previous life epochs, with its name signifying "swimming-walking whale." The fossil of the creature indicated that these species had forelimbs with fingers, including little hooves, while the hind feet were notably large in proportion to their overall size. The analysis indicated that the feet were anatomically designed for both aquatic locomotion and terrestrial ambulation, akin to those of seals (Wilkens and Strecker 2017).

It was analyzed that these species may have undergone evolution throughout the years and now assumed the appearance of whales. Despite sharing a same start, evolution occurred to adapt to environmental changes for survival. The movement of these organisms into the water closely resembles that of modern whales, which propel themselves through the water using rhythmic beats generated by their horizontal tail flukes. In contrast, Ambulocetus possessed a whip-like tail and utilized its legs for swimming. The legs supplied the primary power necessary for propelling their body through water (Davis 2019). The data discovered during the analysis of the fossilized Ambulocetus indicated that this species has a common ancestry with current whales, however evolutionary processes have resulted in distinct changes in their characteristics. It resembles the hypothesis of Darwin's finches, which posits that while the finches have a common ancestry, their looks evolved in response to environmental factors.

An further illustration of the variety and unity of life on Earth that supports Darwin's hypothesis was discovered, elucidating the genesis of people and their diversification across time. In recent years, scientists have identified several transitional species that had been absent for many years or had undergone extinction. These species advance the field of life sciences, hence reinforcing Charles Darwin's theory of evolution (Wilkens and Strecker 2017). Additionally, there is fossilized material that corroborates the evolutionary history of humans. One piece of evidence was discovered in 2018, when scientists unearthed a petrified jaw and teeth. The fossil was determined to be around 194,000 years old. The fossil was determined to be 50,000 years older than contemporary humans (Callaway 2018). The discovery was documented as another evidence demonstrating that humans are among the living species that have undergone evolution from their origins.

Conclusion

In conclusion, evolution is a crucial mechanism for the survival of living organisms in the face of environmental hardship. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution posits that living creatures undergo modifications to adapt to their environment, encapsulated in the phrase "survival of the fittest." The many disciplines within life sciences have provided several pieces of evidence that support Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Numerous pieces of evidence remain concealed in the form of fossils, which will, in the next years, substantiate the evolutionary history of various other living species.

Bibliography:

Callaway, E., 2018. Israeli fossils are the oldest modern humans ever found outside of Africa. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution Nature, 554(7690).

Davis, R.W., 2019. Return to the Sea: The Evolution of Marine Mammals. In Marine Mammals (pp. 7-27). Springer, Cham.

Liu, Y. and Chen, Q., 2018. 150 years of Darwin’s theory of intercellular flow of hereditary information. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 19(12), pp.749-750.

Morse, H., 2019. Where Do We Come From? Is Darwin Correct?: A Philosophical and Critical Study of Darwin's Theory of “Natural Selection”. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution Routledge.

Priest, G., 2017. Charles Darwin's theory of moral sentiments: what Darwin's ethics really owes to Adam Smith. Journal of the History of Ideas, 78(4), pp.571-593.

Richards, R.J., 2016. Darwin’s theory of natural selection and its moral purpose. Debates in Nineteenth-Century European Philosophy: Essential Readings and Contemporary Responses, pp.211-225.

Wilkens, H. and Strecker, U., 2017. Evolution in the Dark.

Wilkens, H. and Strecker, U., 2017. The Role of Rudimentation in Evolution. In Evolution in the Dark (pp. 3-12). Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.