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"In fact, evolution can be precisely defined as any change in the frequency of alleles within a gene pool from one generation to the next." - Helena Curtis and N. Sue Barnes, //Biology//, 5th ed. 1989 Worth Publishers, p.974

So, evolution. It seems like a pretty lofty topic. But, basically, all that evolution entails is **change**

Organisms undergo a series of changes in their population’s **gene frequencies**, or //the probability that certain alleles will appear in the population’s genetic makeup//. The population’s **gene pool**, //the number and types of alleles that contribute to an organism’s population//, fluctuates continuously, as alleles are randomly paired up within the population each generation. These changes often reflect the conditions of the environment that an organism inhabits, as certain combinations of alleles will produce traits that are more beneficial to the survival of the an organism in a specific environment, and be passed on to later generations. Organisms within the population that do not possess these genes are likely to reproduce less often, decreasing the probability of their genes being reintroduced into the population. This process is called **natural selection**. **Mutations**, random alterations in an organism's genes, may also lead to a change in the gene frequency of a population. If you're having trouble taking this in, try applying these ideas to... a bowl of chex mix. There's a lot of variety in a bowl of chex mix. You've got your chex pieces, your pretzels, your miniature bread sticks, your burnt-looking chex pieces... OK, maybe not so much variety. Anyway, all of these elements of the chex mix have different tastes and textures, but they're still all part of the chex mix population. They're also all made of grains. Say that you and your friends really like pretzels, and don't particularly care for the rest of the chex mix. So, you eat all of the pretzels, possibly leaving a few at the bottom of the bowl, where they blend in with the rest of the mix. At this point, there are loads more chex pieces, burnt-looking chex pieces, and mini bread sticks than pretzels in the chex mix **gene pool**. You and your friends are still hungry, so you pour in some more chex mix. This time, you add in a handful of cheez-its. This act would represent a **mutation** in the chex mix population. However, your friends are lactose intolerant, so the cheez-its go unnoticed. The ratio of pretzels-to-everything else is still conspicuously low, but becomes even lower once you and your friends again consume all of the pretzels, save a few. The **gene frequency** of the chex mix is very unbalance at this point. This process represents **natural selection**, since the pretzels possess traits that cause them to be eliminated more often than the other elements of the chex mix population. Over time, the frequency of pretzels in the chex mix becomes almost-zero, while the other elements continue to increase in quantity. New elements may be introduced into the chex mix population, and may or may not suffer the same fate as the pretzels, depending on the preferences of you and your friends. Of course, this is a very simplified example of evolution, as well as the process of natural selection. Also, **genetic drift,** //factors based on chance that affect allele frequency//, is not represented at all. Chex mix doesn't reproduce :(

Technically, you're right. However, I don't think you've got the right definition of "theory" in this case. To the average joe, "theory" just means an idea. It doesn't need to be researched, doesn't need to be tested. It's basically a word you throw around in everyday conversation to appear semi-intelligent. No rules regarding the natural world can actually be proven, as there is always the smallest possibility that something completely random may occur in a specific circumstance. Therefore, all science is technically made of "theory" in science, a theory is "a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena" [Random House American College Dictionary]. Basically, a theory tells us what we can expect to happen in a given circumstance. Evolution as a theory, in the scientific sense of the word, provides a fairly consistent rule for changes in life forms on Earth.
 * Questions? Comments? Concerns? **
 * 1. Why does my bio teacher talk about evolution so much? Isn't it just, like, a "theory"? It's not like it's been //proven// or anything.**

Not exactly. Though it is true that humans and other hominids did share a common ancestor at once point in history, none of the modern species that reside in the world today are derived from each other. The last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees, the closest //living// genetic relative to humans, is said to have existed around 5 million to 10 million years ago. Recent discoveries suggest that the answer is more towards the former end of the spectrum.
 * 2. In a bet I made with my friend yesterday, I said that I'd be a monkey's uncle if he could climb up the side of our school, Matrix style. After failing magnificently, he smugly replied, "You may not be a monkey's uncle, but your uncle was most definitely a monkey." I think I've heard something like that in bio class before. Is he right?**

In short: no, your uncle was definitely not a monkey. Kudos to your friend for trying to be clever, though.

3. **I am a Christian, and I'm confused.** **If I accept Darwin's theory of evolution as truth, would I be turning away from religion? **

Not at all. Evolution is a scientific theory. Theories are created in order to give us a prediction of what would occur in a given circumstance. The elements of the theory of evolution achieve this goal, and should be utilized as a tool to understand a specific set of phenomenon in the world. The only way that this logical interpretation of how the world functions could possibly contradict religion is if an individual took a fundamental, literal interpretation of the Bible. Based on my personal experiences, I would suggest against adopting this approach towards religious beliefs. Essentially, religious doctrines are meant to provide an individual with an outline regarding how they should live their lives, what values and priorities they should hold, and how they may achieve inner peace. If the Bible is read as a didactic work of literature, rather than a documentation of the Earth's history, then Darwin's theory of evolution should not alter your religious views.

[] Picture of chex mix

[] Human Evolution picture

[] Information regarding the most recent common ancestor of chimpanzees and humans.

[] Picture of cheez-its

[] Obnoxious teenager t-shirt picture.

[] The definition of evolution, as well as the scientific definition of a theory.

[] Thoughts regarding the relationship between science and religion.

[] Misconceptions regarding evolution.

[] The history of human evolution.

[] Further information regarding evolution and natural selection.

[] Picture of Eevee and its evolved forms.

[] Bulbasaur-Ivysaur-Venasaur picture