Licchavi Lyceum

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Licchavi Lyceum

Heredity and Evolution

Heredity:

Heredity refers to the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next. This genetic information, contained in DNA, determines an organism’s physical and behavioral characteristics. Heredity plays a major role in determining an individual’s traits and is responsible for the similarities between parents and their offspring. The mechanisms of heredity were first described by Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, through his experiments with pea plants.

Evolution:

Evolution is the process by which species of organisms change over time through natural selection and genetic variation. Evolution occurs over many generations and is driven by the accumulation of small genetic changes that confer a survival advantage to individuals possessing them. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in a population, leading to the development of new species. Evolution is a central concept in biology and helps to explain the diversity of life on Earth.

Darwin’s theory of evolution:

Darwin’s theory of evolution, also known as the theory of natural selection, was first proposed by British naturalist Charles Darwin in 1859. The theory states that evolution occurs through the process of natural selection, in which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits to their offspring. Over time, the frequency of these advantageous traits increases in a population, leading to the development of new species. Darwin’s theory of evolution was a major contribution to the field of biology and remains one of the most widely accepted scientific theories today.