what are the evolutionary trends in organisms? what are the modern evolution theory
All organisms are constantly evolving. What they evolve to or what trait or characteristic they will develop in the future is uncertain and hard to predict in most cases. However, according to Darwin, in short-term evolution, we can predict that organisms lower in fitness will eventually eliminated out and those with higher fitness will be the majority of the population so you can probably predict the frequency of the alleles.
Again, it's hard to predict evolution because the process is random & sophisticated. Remember there are 5 main forces that drive evolution: Mutation, Migration, Genetic Drift, Non-random Mating, and Natural Selection.
Although this is not my area of expertise, it would seem that the trend of evolution is toward survival vs. non-existence.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "'modern evolution theory'" to get these possible sources:
http://www.nap.edu/topics.php?topic=278&gclid=CJjSzKvt15ACFScXagodOQblWA
http://www.amazon.com/Darwins-Image-Biology-Confirms-Evolution/dp/0759622418
(Broken Link Removed)
http://www.parentcompany.com/science_kit/sk3b.htm
http://fig.cox.miami.edu/~cmallery/150/evol/evolution.htm
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
Evolutionary trends in organisms refer to the patterns or changes observed in the characteristics of living organisms over time. These trends can help scientists understand how different species have adapted and evolved. Here are some examples of evolutionary trends:
1. Increased complexity: Over time, many organisms have become more complex in their anatomy and physiology. This is evident in the development of specialized organs, intricate body structures, and sophisticated behaviors.
2. Adaptation to the environment: Organisms tend to evolve traits that help them survive and reproduce in their specific habitats. This can include physical adaptations like camouflage, protective features, or physiological adjustments to cope with changes in temperature or available food sources.
3. Decreased reliance on physical traits: As organisms evolve, they may become less dependent on certain physical traits. For example, the loss of limbs in certain lineages of snakes or reduced eyesight in cave-dwelling organisms that don't require visual capabilities.
4. Increase in brain size: In some species, there has been a trend towards larger brain size over time. This is often associated with increased cognitive abilities and complex behaviors.
5. Reduction of vestigial structures: Vestigial structures are remnants of features that were once functional in an ancestor but are no longer necessary. Evolution tends to reduce or eliminate these structures since they no longer serve a purpose. Examples include the appendix in humans or hind limbs in whales.
Regarding the modern evolution theory, it refers to the understanding of evolution based on the synthesis of several scientific disciplines such as genetics, paleontology, ecology, and molecular biology. The central concept is that evolution occurs through natural selection acting on genetic variations within populations over generations.
The modern evolution theory, also known as the neo-Darwinian synthesis, combines Charles Darwin's principles of natural selection with Gregor Mendel's genetic discoveries. It explains that genetic variation arises through processes like mutations, genetic recombination, and gene flow. Individuals with advantageous traits have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing those traits to future generations.
Furthermore, the modern evolution theory also considers other mechanisms of evolution, such as genetic drift (random changes in gene frequencies) and gene flow (movement of genes between populations).
To learn more about evolutionary trends and the modern evolution theory, you can explore scientific literature, textbooks, and online resources like educational websites or scientific journals. Additionally, you can consult with experts in the field, such as biology professors or researchers.