https://aycockobrien06.livejournal.com/profile The Importance of Understanding Evolution The majority of evidence for evolution comes from observation of organisms in their environment. Scientists conduct laboratory experiments to test evolution theories. Positive changes, like those that help an individual in their fight for survival, increase their frequency over time. This process is known as natural selection. Natural Selection The concept of natural selection is central to evolutionary biology, however it is an important issue in science education. Numerous studies have shown that the concept of natural selection and its implications are not well understood by many people, not just those who have postsecondary biology education. A basic understanding of the theory, however, is crucial for both practical and academic contexts like research in medicine or management of natural resources. Natural selection is understood as a process which favors positive characteristics and makes them more prevalent within a population. This improves their fitness value. This fitness value is determined by the relative contribution of each gene pool to offspring in every generation. This theory has its critics, however, most of them argue that it is untrue to think that beneficial mutations will always make themselves more prevalent in the gene pool. In addition, they argue that other factors like random genetic drift or environmental pressures could make it difficult for beneficial mutations to gain a foothold in a population. These criticisms are often based on the idea that natural selection is an argument that is circular. A trait that is beneficial must to exist before it can be beneficial to the population and will only be able to be maintained in population if it is beneficial. The opponents of this theory insist that the theory of natural selection is not really a scientific argument it is merely an assertion about the results of evolution. A more sophisticated critique of