Evolution, theory in biology postulating that the various types of living things on Earth have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations. This article is about evolution in biology. For related articles, see Outline of evolution.

Understanding the Context

For other uses, see Evolution (disambiguation). For a more accessible and less technical introduction to this topic, see Introduction to evolution. Time outdoors means more chances to appreciate the remarkable diversity that evolution has produced – especially those frequent visitors to backyard barbecues: arthropods! The theory of evolution is a shortened form of the term “theory of evolution by natural selection,” which was proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the nineteenth century.

Key Insights

Evolution, as related to genomics, refers to the process by which living organisms change over time through changes in the genome. Such evolutionary changes result from mutations that produce genomic variation, giving rise to individuals whose biological functions or physical traits are altered. Evolution is the process of heritable change in populations of organisms over multiple generations. Evolutionary biology is the study of this process, which can occur through mechanisms including... Because the definition of evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of a population over generations, evolution can occur by means other than natural selection.

Final Thoughts

But evolution is more than just biology’s guiding principle; it’s a story about time, change, and survival. Although the idea that life evolves wasn’t entirely new in the 19th century, it was Charles Darwin who transformed it into a scientific theory. Evolution is a process of continuous branching and diversification from common trunks. This pattern of irreversible separation gives life's history its basic directionality.