Evolution of Species

Out of all the species that have ever existed since the beginning of time, 98% of them are extinct (Facts). There are an estimated 5-10 million species that exist currently and only 1.5 million have been identified (Sherry, 2). Scientists classify species into six different groups: plants, animals, insects, algae, fungi, and microorganisms (Today’s Situation). In the tropical rainforest alone, most species are disappearing at the rate of 1% a year (Sherry, 6). If the current trend continues, at…

What is Evolution? It “is the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient ancestors” [1]. Many great scientists have developed theories to answer the question, “Where did life, and human beings, come from?” Two major theories of evolution that still exist, and valid today are Charles Darwin’s theory, and Lamarck’s theory. These two theories have many differences, but attempt to explain evolution. Charles Robert Darwin, was a naturalist, who proposed one of the most renowned theories…

time because they dealt with the evolution of the species and the natural and gradual creation of new species of long periods of time through the process of natural selection. Prior to Darwin coming onto the scene, it was very common to accept the idea of a divine Creator who ordered things. However, Darwin started to talk about the idea of chance and variations that occurred naturally due to survival rates and attrition rates of individuals and groups and species over time. So, in other words, Darwin…

10I-0207 SECTION: ‘C’ PRESENTATION: ENGLISH The Evolution of the Human | The universe is constructed from a multitude of various materials. It is dynamic in form and shape due to a multitude of various processes and interactions between these materials. To the human, however, in his need to establish his place and purpose in the universe, the most important material is biological and the most important process is evolution, far it is only here that the human can learn to understand himself…

Human evolution has been of interest to people for quite some time. Even though in the publication of 'On The Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin in 1859 human evolution was not specifically mentioned, only that "light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history", Darwin did argue for the evolution of new species from older ones (1). Since then, interest in evolution, and especially human evolution, has been growing. An example of one of the first debates about human evolution is the debate…

The latest discovery of a fossil skull in Kenya, more than three million years old, once again demonstrates the complex evolution of humankind. The following article examines the evidence and sees how it fits into the ideas of human origin formulated by Frederick Engels more than 100 years ago. "There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law…

A keystone species is defined as one that has a critical role in determining and maintaining the overall relationship of plants and animals within an ecosystem. If a keystone species is removed or declines, the nature of the ecosystem will change dramatically. Sea Otters — A Classic Keystone Species The classic tale of a keystone species is that of the sea otter, which was once found in abundance along the West Coast of North America. The story goes something like this: 1. European and…

OTHER SPECIES AND THEIR NEEDS LED TO CHANGES IN ECOSYSTEM IMBALANCE? INTRODUCTION: The ability to survive and reproduce by living organisms is constantly being tested by its external environment. Organisms those are unable to cope up with these changing external factors, face extinction. Over the years, species have evolved with the changing environmental conditions and have incurred adaptations to suit their existence in their environment. Hence, the process of evolution, adaptation…

guarding to viviparity. Of the many squamate species, approximately 20% exhibit viviparous reproduction. Interestingly, the viviparous species of the lizard families Iguandiae and Scincidae and the snake families Colubridae and Viperidae comprise 71% of all viviparous species present on earth today (Andrews and Mathies 2000). Such irregular distribution has led to many questions regarding the evolution of viviparity in this group, with lizard species being an especially examined sub-group. The…

On November 24th, 1859, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life by Charles Darwin (renamed On the Origin of Species 13 years later) was published in London, England. In it, Charles Darwin specified his observations and gave his insight on what he thought caused evolution. He called it "natural selection." Before this, nearly everyone believed that a single God created every living organism that none of them had changed…