What is organic evolution?
Quick Answer
Organic evolution are the events involved in the evolutionary development of a species. It means that all life descended from other life, although features may have changed dramatically along the way.
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Full Answer
Organic evolution involves modifications to existing species, not the development of new ones. Charles Darwin came up with an explanation of evolution known today as Darwinism. Darwinism explains an organism's struggle to exist as well as survival of the fittest and acquired characteristics. J.B. Lamarck believed organic evolution happened because future generations inherited specific characteristics and his theories came before Darwinism.
Examples of organic evolution include organs that are different in structure, but perform similar functions. A dolphin's flippers and a human's arms are examples of organic evolution. Biogeography suggests that certain species developed characteristics to help them survive in different parts of the world. One creature's hands, for example, may only be suitable to the area in which that creature lives and would be useless in another area of the world. Divergence is the process in which organisms develop new, unique traits unknown to their ancestors.
Part of evolution involves the mutation theory. The mutation theory suggest that mutations in genes can be found in all living organisms. Darwinism combined with the mutation theory form Neo-Darwinism, the modern theory of evolution.
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