Theory of Evolution - Short Essay
Essay #2: How is the theory of evolution used to explain the tremendous diversity of life on Earth? Describe how variation within a population arises and how natural selection differs from artificial selection. Finally, describe how bacteria that become resistant to modern antibiotics is a clear example of evolution in action.
The theory of evolution is used to explain the extensive diversity of life on Earth by looking at why creatures evolve. The main reason they are able to evolve is that they have a quality that helps them survive in their environment. If two identical animals are put in very different habitats the future generations will end up with very different characteristics. For example, if a bird of multicolored origin is put in the jungle it could be said that eventually they will evolve to be a species of green birds because they have the best camouflage against predators.
Natural selection is most easily described by how a species survives because of traits dictated by their surroundings. An example of this is an animal of prey that can run faster than its heard, will escape a predator and live to breed in the future. The offspring will have the genes of a fast parent and likely be fast themselves therefore able to outrun the predator as well.
Artificial selection is when humans interfere and only allow certain characteristics to be passed onto the next generation. An example of this is a dog breeder only breeding the dogs with the shiniest coats. The next generation will be heavily influenced to have shiny coats, an example of what they deem a valued characteristic.
A very interesting way to see evolution is how bacteria are evolving to become resistant to modern antibiotics. Once thought to be the cure to many dangerous bacterial infections antibiotics started to be handed out to ill patients. Unfortunately, some patients are not finishing their prescribed antibiotics leaving bacteria alive in their bodies that are
The theory of evolution is used to explain the extensive diversity of life on Earth by looking at why creatures evolve. The main reason they are able to evolve is that they have a quality that helps them survive in their environment. If two identical animals are put in very different habitats the future generations will end up with very different characteristics. For example, if a bird of multicolored origin is put in the jungle it could be said that eventually they will evolve to be a species of green birds because they have the best camouflage against predators.
Natural selection is most easily described by how a species survives because of traits dictated by their surroundings. An example of this is an animal of prey that can run faster than its heard, will escape a predator and live to breed in the future. The offspring will have the genes of a fast parent and likely be fast themselves therefore able to outrun the predator as well.
Artificial selection is when humans interfere and only allow certain characteristics to be passed onto the next generation. An example of this is a dog breeder only breeding the dogs with the shiniest coats. The next generation will be heavily influenced to have shiny coats, an example of what they deem a valued characteristic.
A very interesting way to see evolution is how bacteria are evolving to become resistant to modern antibiotics. Once thought to be the cure to many dangerous bacterial infections antibiotics started to be handed out to ill patients. Unfortunately, some patients are not finishing their prescribed antibiotics leaving bacteria alive in their bodies that are