In suggesting the process of natural selection as the means resulting in evolution, Charles Darwin shows how evolutionary changes have occurred in organisms. Genetic change through time Understanding natural selection is paramount to our comprehension of evolution. is a much more accepted than the theory man has evolved from apes. Despite the fact that we are unable to prove without a shadow of doubt that man has evolved from apes, natural selection is relevant to the changes that have occurred over the years in humans. Charles Darwin s theory of natural selection was based on two observations, first the fact that all species exhibit variability, for example height, color, etc. Secondly all organisms than survive to reproduce. To understand why natural selection is much more acceptable than the idea of evolution from apes, we must first understand the Principles of Natural selection.
The first principle of natural selection is that a species must be capable of reproduction of more than enough offspring to replace itself. Secondly, the environment may affect ones chances of survival. Third, because each individual is unique some may have more chances of survival than another. Lastly, the ability to adapt to ones environment increases ones chance for survival. After the acceptance of these principles, one can understand how change through time or evolution must have occurred in the past and continues to occur today. The reproductive capacity of most organisms is enormous compared to the number of offspring that reach maturity in each generation. For example spiders can produce hundreds of offspring, dogs and cats produce fourteen or more offspring in a litter and human beings may produce ten or more offspring in a lifetime. It is this reproductive capability that fulfills the first of Darwin s principles (Young, 1992)........
