Question

When we are considering the evolution of species let us remember that :

(a) Evolution is progress.

(b) Evolution is the generation of diversity.

(c) The older designs are not necessarily inefficient.

(d) More and more complex designs emerge.

1. (a)
2. (b)
3. (c)
4. (d)
5.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : (a)

The correct answer is (a).

•  Evolution of Species: 
  • Evolution is the process of the formation of complex organisms through the gradual change from simpler ones. 
  • The theory of organic evolution states that “All living things on earth are here as a result of descent, with modifications from a common ancestor”.
  • Evolution is caused by the action of forces on the Natural Selection of Variation.
  • Darwin's theory of Natural selection still holds good with a slightly modified version. 
    • According to Darwin, organisms produce more offspring than can survive. Because environmental resources are limited there ensues a struggle for existence.
    • Organisms with advantageous variations are protected and allowed to reproduce while the disadvantageous variants are eliminated from nature.
    • This is what was termed natural selection by Darwin.
  • Modern synthetic theory or Neo-Darwinism:
    • It attempted to explain the sources of variation which Darwin's theory failed to explain. 
    • The unit of evolution is ‘population’ which has its own gene pool.
    • A Gene pool is the group of all different genes of a population.
    • Natural selection selects the variations which help in adapting to the environment.
  • Since Evolution is a slow to gradual change it is a process. Hence, option (a) is correct.