Organic evolution

Organic Evolution refers to the process by which changes in the genetic composition of populations of organisms occur over time. The concept is central to understanding the diversity of life on Earth and is a fundamental principle of biology.

Overview

Organic evolution involves changes in the genetic makeup of populations over time. These changes may lead to new species forming, changes within species, or extinction. The term "organic evolution" is often used interchangeably with the term "evolution", but it specifically refers to the evolution of biological entities.

Mechanisms of Organic Evolution

The primary mechanisms driving organic evolution are natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. These mechanisms can cause changes in the frequencies of genes in populations, leading to evolution.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process by which traits become more or less common in a population due to the effects those traits have on the survival and reproduction of their bearers. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

Genetic Drift

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution in which allele frequencies of a population change over generations due to chance (sampling error).

Mutation

Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a cell's genome and is the ultimate source of all genetic variation.

Gene Flow

Gene flow (also known as gene migration) is the transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

History of the Concept

The concept of organic evolution was first proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the mid-19th century. Their theory, known as Darwinian evolution, proposed that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce.

See Also

• Evolutionary biology
• History of evolutionary thought
• Genetics
• Population genetics