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To: js1138

“Name one physical process required by evolution that has not been observed...”

I could do that, if I were into playing by the rules of engagement posted at my kids’ school playground.

When you’re ready to come in off the playground and start having a rational discussion with me instead of lacing your comments with insults intended to serve as bait, I think a more interesting approach to the issue would be for you to tell me what natural processes you think are involved in evolution. I suspect you have a pretty interesting understanding of what evolution is and how it operates.

So, come on. How does evolution happen?


362 posted on 06/25/2007 4:24:01 PM PDT by lifebygrace
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To: lifebygrace

This is off the top of my head. If I am in error, it’s just me being ignorant.

Evolution is sometimes defined as change in allele frequency in populations. This can be due to selection, or it can be due to genetic drift.

There are other, related processes involved. There are a dozen or so ways that genes can be altered. They can also be duplicated or be inserted by viral infection. Genes can migrate form one chromosome to another. Chromosomes can also undergo duplication and various kinds of changes.

Evolutionary change always involves a change to the genome in a reproducing individual. The change must be carried forward to offspring. Changes to genes may or may not produce somatic changes, but if they have a statistical influence on the probability of surviving and reproducing, they will be subject to selection. If their effect is neutral, they can still diffuse through a population.

Traits that are visible and present in nearly all individuals in a population, over thousands of generations, are presumed to be stabilized by selection. Individuals lacking the trait are statistically less likely to survive and produce offspring. Selection is not simply a matter of which individuals are stronger. Female choice is a well documented mode of selection. Selective breeding by humans is another. Both of these produce change in a population faster than other known kinds of selection.

To summarize: evolution is an iterative process that involves genetic change in individuals, and differential reproductive success.


365 posted on 06/25/2007 5:03:50 PM PDT by js1138
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