http://hikvisiondb.webcam/index.php?title=tobinhurley0935 The Evolution Site The theory of natural selection as the underlying principle of evolution is the central force in the field of modern biology. It ties together disciplines as diverse as genetics, microbiology, and the study of palaeontology. The study of evolution can be controversial, and the misinformation that is generated can cause confusion about its basic concepts. This site explains the fundamental concepts. What is Evolution? Modern evolutionary theory is based on the gradual and cumulative changes that happen in populations over time. These changes are the result of natural selection, a process that increases the number of organisms who have beneficial traits that enable them to live and reproduce in a specific environment. As a result, these organisms leave more offspring than those who don't possess the beneficial characteristics. This leads to the genetic changes that can eventually lead to the creation of new species. The term "evolution" is frequently associated with the idea of "survival of the strongest," which implies that those individuals who are best adapted to a particular set of environmental conditions will be more successful than those who aren't adapted to the environment. This is just one of many ways in which evolution can occur. Another way of using the word evolution is to suggest that a species will progress from one state to the next. This type of view of evolution is known as anagenetic or cladogenesis. The definition of evolution that scientists have developed does not support this view. Instead the theory of evolution that is scientifically based concentrates on the changes that occur in populations over time and these changes are the result of genetic mutations and natural selection. Charles Darwin was one of the scientists who backed this view. Others, such as Alfred Russel Wallace, who created the macroevolution theory believed that this was the only way that the higher