Darwin's Four Postulates
Alejandro Rodríguez P.4
Darwin's Four Postulates
1. Variation
2. Inheritance
3. Differential Survival
4. Extinction
Variation
Darwin's theory of the mechanism of evolution begins with variation that exists among organisms within a species. Organisms are different of one another this traits are what leads an organism to become better and more fit for survival. Variation can happen in many different ways and there will be some variants that are fit and other that will eventually die off.
Inheritance
Some of the traits that organisms have are actually inherited from their ancestors. This is why organisms look like their parents because some of their genes were passed on to them. This is crucial in order to keep the species alive because if all of the species were the same, they could not generate more favorable traits to help them survive.
Differential Survival
This process is also known as survival of the fittest or natural selection. Individuals possessing traits well suited for the struggle for resources will be able to contribute more offspring to the next generation. This basically means that stronger and more intelligent individuals are more likely to pass on their genes to future generations.
Extinction
Some species are just not made for survival and they are wiped out, this can happen because of many reasons. The species environment could be destroyed, they could be hunted down or just because their traits are not made for survival and so they are not able to keep up with the competition and could also not produce enough offspring in order to maintain a controlled amount of organisms.
Bibliographies
Bagley, M. (2013, February 21). Genetics: The Study of Heredity. Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/27332-genetics.html
Cena, J. (2010, October 10). Evolution and Natural Selection. Retrieved from
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/selection/selection.html
Keim, B. (2010, February 9). Mass Extinctions Change the Rules of Evolution. Retrieved from http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/selection/selection.html
Romo, T. (1999). Darwin’s Revolution. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21378/