Question on: SS3 Biology - Adaptation and Evolution

The modern theory of evolution is based on several key principles. Genetic variation, arising from mutations and genetic recombination, introduces diversity within populations. Natural selection acts upon this variation, favouring individuals with traits that offer a survival advantage in their specific environment. Over time, this process leads to the gradual adaptation and change of species, as less fit individuals are less likely to survive and reproduce. Speciation occurs when populations become reproductively isolated, leading to the formation of new species. Unlike earlier concepts of evolution, the modern theory incorporates the role of genetics and emphasizes the gradual and cumulative nature of evolutionary change. Genetic mutations serve as the raw material for new traits, providing the genetic basis for evolutionary innovations and adaptations.