Linked Questions

33 votes
6 answers
5k views

Why are there species instead of a continuum of various animals?

As I understand it, various animal traits have to evolve gradually, but what happens to the species that are "neither here nor there"? To put it differently, if a species evolved from another, it did ...
Darwin's user avatar
  • 567
15 votes
8 answers
4k views

Is there a biological mechanism for evolution encoded into our DNA?

Throughout high school, I remember learning about Darwin's theory of evolution as if it were near-fact. But something always seemed wrong about the ideas presented. Survival of the fittest Random ...
J.Todd's user avatar
  • 1,871
9 votes
5 answers
1k views

How does Darwinian Evolution work?

Let me explain... A friend and I read some articles, part of a Biology book, and watched a video on evolution. We then tried to explain what Evolution is to each other. My friend said that Natural ...
PRO META X's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
10k views

Definition of "Effective population size"

Could you explain to me, what is the meaning of "Effective population size ($N_e$)"? I would appreciate an example as well.
Nyctea's user avatar
  • 163
3 votes
2 answers
497 views

On evolution statistics [closed]

This basic evolution theory question has been haunting me since childhood and I'm kind of embarrassed that I can't explain it yet: Consider a butterfly. It's wings have evolved to look like the eyes ...
Digger's user avatar
  • 141
4 votes
2 answers
402 views

Evolution theory - roses spikes - being more bulgy doesn't give you advantage

I've seen spike, huge spike. And I thought that development of such spikes could be contrary to the evolution theory. Being „little more” spiky doesn’t give you any advantage... So those individuals ...
Paweł Brewczynski's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
1k views

Does evolution produce organisms perfectly adapted to their environment? [closed]

I have this biology assignment with this chosen topic. I have no idea where to start researching. I have studied the mechanisms and theories of evolution. I just don't know which relates to the topic. ...
HelloHi's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

How does Genetic drift and selection affect fixation of an allele?

I want to know how does genetic drift, and selection coefficient (s) together affect the fixation of an allele? For example, if there is a neutral allele (s=0), will only genetic drift cause the ...
Lauren boomer's user avatar
-4 votes
2 answers
747 views

Evolution of complex organs [duplicate]

If it evolved, how is a feature selected through a long time span with useless function before the feature becomes complete? For example, an eye is a very complex organ consisting of countless small ...
Chan Kim's user avatar
  • 101
1 vote
2 answers
375 views

Does evolution head to some optimum? [closed]

Currently we have many species which are "good enough" for current environment, some species emerge, another die. So let's say that they could be close to some local optima. Does the evolution head to ...
scdmb's user avatar
  • 455
1 vote
4 answers
242 views

Is existence of different alleles for a gene a result of mutation?

I would like to understand evolution. Here are a few questions Why are there different alleles for a gene? Is the different alleles of a gene are mutated versions of a gene? Why selection pressure ...
Kamal's user avatar
  • 59
4 votes
2 answers
193 views

Role of drift in evolution of sexually dimorphic traits

Is there a model for predicting how drift can affect the evolution of a sexually dimorphic (SD) trait? I've been trying wrap my mind around this paradoxical question; sexually dimorphic traits evolve ...
petersoapes's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
134 views

Evolutionary Midways [closed]

Given that the mechanism of natural selection is sensitive, how do species survive in an evolutionary midway? The ability to breath in air requires complex protein systems. An animal that is ...
Liu Tianyi's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
279 views

Explaining natural selection in moth [closed]

Industrial melanism is an example of natural selection. Can it be considered as a evolution due to anthropogenic action?
Maini who's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
173 views

How much of the genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees are due to genetic drift?

Both natural selection and genetic drift play a part in changing our DNA over time. Are there trustworthy estimates how much of the differences over the whole genome between us and chimpanzees are due ...
Christian's user avatar
  • 2,606

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