University:
Tyler Junior College
Course:
ANTH 2301 | Anthropology
Academic year:

2024
Views:

309

Pages:

1
Author:

Dave D.

Biological Evolution and Early Human Evidence ANTH 2301 Understanding Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection Natural selection theory consists of five key parts: 1. Every creature has the capacity to procreate more quickly than the availability of food grows. 2. Variability exists in all creatures. 3. There's a severe competition for survival, and the best varieties have the best chance of surviving and procreating. 4. Variations, or qualities, are inherited and transmitted on to progeny. 5. Over extended periods of time, minor adjustments made by each generation result in significant alterations. The phrase "survival of the fittest" refers to a well-known but sometimes misinterpreted idea in natural selection. The phrase "survival of the fittest" refers to those who are most evolutionarily fit, not necessarily the largest and quickest. This indicates that an organism possesses characteristics that are necessary for its existence and will be inherited by subsequent generations. Darwin did not even coin the phrase "survival of the fittest." Rather, English philosopher, anthropologist, and sociologist Herbert Spencer coined it and popularised the now-discredited theory of social Darwinism. Social Darwinism proposed that human civilization was evolving towards the "perfect human," applying Darwin's theory of biological evolution to human cultures. The development of scientific racism and European colonialism in the 19th century were closely linked to Spencer's views. The natural world is replete with illustrations of Darwin's theory of natural selection. The colour shift of peppered moths that was seen in England in the 1800s is arguably the most well-known. Peppered moths in England were a light grey colour, well-suited for hiding on tree branches, and less likely to be eaten by birds before the Industrial Revolution. Black moths occasionally entered the population as a result of mutation, but as they were easier to spot against light-colored bark, they were often devoured right away. The black moths got more adept at hiding, while the white moths became more noticeable, as soot from coal industries started to coat the tree bark. As a result, the white moths were devoured while the black moths lived to procreate. The peppered moths in the cities turned black after a few decades. It was known as industrial melanism. White moths took over the metropolitan areas once more when coal consumption declined and tree bark turned lighter again. There are many contemporary examples of natural selection in action. Insect pesticide resistance is a wellknown example. The term "pesticide resistance" describes how a pest population becomes less susceptible to a pesticide that used to be successful in controlling it. Natural selection causes pest species to develop resistance to pesticides; the more resilient individuals survive and pass this resistance on to their progeny. The emergence of "superbugs," or microorganisms that are more resistant to antibiotics, is another excellent example.

Understanding Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection

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