What Is the Difference Between the Theory of Evolution and the Theory of Natural Selection?

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Vincent White

The Theory of Evolution and the Theory of Natural Selection are two concepts that are often used interchangeably. However, there is a fundamental difference between the two. While both theories explain the mechanism of how species change over time, they differ in their approach to explaining these changes.

The Theory of Evolution

The Theory of Evolution is a scientific explanation of how living organisms have changed over time. It is based on the idea that all living things share a common ancestry and have descended from a single common ancestor. This theory was first proposed by Charles Darwin in his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ in 1859.

According to the theory of evolution, all living organisms have evolved through a process called ‘descent with modification’. This means that species change over time and new species arise from existing ones through a process known as speciation. The theory suggests that these changes occur due to genetic mutations and natural selection.

The Theory of Natural Selection

The Theory of Natural Selection is a mechanism for evolution proposed by Charles Darwin. It explains how organisms adapt to their environment over time through a process called natural selection. According to this theory, individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without such traits.

In other words, natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more prominent in a population over time because they provide an advantage for survival and reproduction. These advantageous traits can be physical or behavioral, such as camouflage or social behavior.

Differences Between The Two Theories

While both theories explain how species change over time, they differ in their focus and approach. The Theory of Evolution focuses on the broader picture of the history and diversity of life on earth, while the Theory of Natural Selection focuses on the mechanism by which evolution occurs.

The theory of evolution explains how new species arise from existing ones through various mechanisms like genetic drift, mutation, gene flow, etc., while the theory of natural selection explains how certain traits become more common in a population due to their advantage for survival and reproduction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Theory of Evolution and the Theory of Natural Selection are two interrelated concepts that explain the mechanism of how species change over time. While both theories are important in understanding evolution, they differ in their focus and approach. The theory of evolution provides a broader picture of the history and diversity of life on earth, while the theory of natural selection focuses on the mechanism by which evolution occurs through advantageous traits becoming more prominent in a population over time.