Evolution: Theories of Evolution; Evidence of Evolution

CONTENT:

1. Theories of Evolution.
2. The theories of evolution according to Charles Darwin, Jean Baptist de Lamark
3. Evidence of evolution.
4. Forces responsible for evolution: mutation, gene flow, genetic drift.

INTRODUCTION

Adaptation is the process by which organisms change their structure, physiology and behaviour in order to survive. This has led to diversity in form, in structure and function among organisms.

The theory of evolution is an attempt to explain how this diversity has taken place. Many scholars made some discoveries on evolution, some of them are;

1. George Louis Buffon (1707-1777)
2. Carl Linnaeues (1707-1778)
3. Jean Lamarck (1744-1829)
4. Thomas Malthus (1766-1834)
5. Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
6. Alfred R. Wallace (19^th century)

THEORIES OF EVOLUTION

1. LAMARCK’S THEORY (1744-1829)

In the early 19^th century, French biologist Jean Baptist Lamarck embraced the idea of progressive change in living world based in part on his study of marine invertebrate fossils.

He was the first biologist to suggest that organisms undergo evolution.