Understanding Evolution

When you think evolution, what do you think of? Individual organisms growing differently over time? Just how exactly does it happen? Well, according to a certain well-known scientist named Charles Darwin, it happens through organism reproduction. Evolution is defined as the change of gene frequencies over time. So, what does that mean?

We all know that each individual organism has its own unique set of genes. According to the theory of evolution, certain genes are more "fit" for the environment in which the organism lives. So, in essence, the organism with the most fit genes have the best chance of reproducing and passing those genes on. Because of this, those "fit" genes will become more and more common. This concept is described as Natural Selection.

Evolution, as a process, happens through this concept of Natural Selection. As those genes become more and more common, the entire population changes to display those genes they inherited. This, in essence, is how evolution happens. It is the population of a certain organism changing as a whole, becoming better adapted to their environment.

But how do these different and "more fit" genes arise out of thin air? Well, as DNA (which forms genes) is written, mistakes are sometimes made. These mistakes are known as mutations. Usually, they are lethal to the unfortunate organism it happened to. Other times, they disable the organism, so it won't be able to reproduce and pass on that gene. Then, there is that one-in-a-million chance that the mutation will benefit the organism and make it more adapted to its environment. This lucky organism will reproduce and pass on that gene, whose offspring will do the same.

One great example of this theory is rock pocket mice. They are the same species of mice, but their fur colors depend on what type of rock they live in. Those that live in black basalt rock have dark fur, and those that live in light granite have light fur. What happened was the genes for the best suited fur color for that environment were naturally selected.

So, remember, evolution is not one individual, say a monkey, losing its tail, fur and becoming human. It happens to the entire group of monkeys generation after generation as the genes that are best for their environment become more and more common. The beauty of evolution, really, is that such a simple theory explains some of the most mind boggling complexities of life.