What Is the Post Darwinian Synthetic Theory of Evolution?

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Vincent White

The post-Darwinian Synthetic Theory of Evolution is an extension of the Darwinian theory that explains how evolution occurs. It is a combination of two other theories, the Modern Synthesis and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis.

The Modern Synthesis, also known as the Neo-Darwinian theory, was developed in the 1930s and 1940s. It combined Darwin’s theory of natural selection with genetics to explain how evolution works. According to this theory, mutations in genes occur randomly, and those that provide an advantage in survival are more likely to be passed on to future generations.

However, the Modern Synthesis has been criticized for its narrow focus on genetic inheritance and its neglect of other factors that play a role in evolution. This led to the development of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis.

The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis emphasizes the importance of epigenetic inheritance, cultural transmission, developmental plasticity, and niche construction in evolutionary processes. Epigenetic inheritance refers to changes in gene expression that can be passed down from one generation to another without changes in DNA sequence.

Cultural transmission refers to the transfer of information between individuals through social learning. Developmental plasticity refers to the ability of organisms to change their phenotype in response to environmental cues. Niche construction refers to organisms’ ability to modify their environment and create new niches for themselves.

The post-Darwinian Synthetic Theory of Evolution combines these two theories and provides a more comprehensive explanation of how evolution occurs. It acknowledges that genetic inheritance plays a crucial role but also recognizes that other factors such as epigenetics and cultural transmission can have significant effects on evolutionary processes.

In conclusion, the post-Darwinian Synthetic Theory of Evolution is an extension of Darwin’s theory that combines two other theories, the Modern Synthesis and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis. It provides a more comprehensive explanation of how evolution occurs by emphasizing not only genetic inheritance but also other factors such as epigenetics, cultural transmission, developmental plasticity, and niche construction.