EVOLUTION

A. THE DEFITION AND SCOPE OF EVOLUTION

1) The Definiton of Evolution
Evolution is a gradual change over a long period of time due to natural selection
in the variation of genes in an individual species that results in the development of
new species. All living things now found are the result of gradual development in
the past.
Evolution means a change that takes place little by little and takes a long time.
The changes that occur are towards the increasingly complex structure and
function of living things and the greater diversity that exists. This means that the
end of an evolutionary period is the formation of new species.
Pingkan Aditiawarti gives a different understanding of evolution, namely
"evolution is defined as a change that occurs in stages and sequentially throughout
the lifetime of one condition to another". Planets, stars, world topography, the
chemical composition of the earth, chemical elements, and atomic particles
change gradually and are known as inorganic evolution. All types of plants and
animals that exist today are descended from other organisms that occur simply,
called organic evolution. Organic evolution is a process that is very slow, long
lasting, and hence at each additional level of complexity through time, such as the
evolution of the solar system, the evolution of human society, and so on. In the
modern theory of evolution, it is explained that evolution is a change in the
genetic composition of the population, where the theory of evolution has two main
notions:
 The nature of living things changes with time.
 This change is directed by natural selection.
2) The Scope of Evolution
The theory of evolution is a part of biology, a study of living things. The scope
includes two kinds of evolution, namely evolution which concerns the origin of
life and the actions that took place from the first living creature to the emergence
of plants, animals and humans.
The main tendency of the evolutionary events of plants and animals shows the
occurrence of adaptation to environmental conditions which in fact often involves
 increasing specialization and complexity of the structure and function of living
things. Next ping aditiawarti explain five the principle of evolution, namely :
 At one time evolution happened faster than others. New forms emerged
and old forms became extinct.
 The speed of evolution does not take place the same in each organism that
different. In general, evolution is rapid in new species appears and then is
slowed down when the group has formed.
 New species are not the most perfect form life, but from a simple form that
is not rededicated.
 Evolution does not always go from simple to complex regressive examples
of evolution from complex shapes to simple shapes, for example a bird
species descended from birds winged ones who can fly, become a wingless
bird and cannot fly.
 Evolution occurs in populations not in individuals, through a process of
mutation, differential reproduction and natural selection.

B. The Theory of Evolution

1) Charles Darwin
In 1859, Charles Darwin published a book on the origin of species entitled "on the
species of means by means of natural selection" or "the preservation of favored
races in the struggle for life". Theory of Evolution According to Charles Darwin,
he argues :
o The basis of organic evolution is not from environmental adaptation, but
because of natural and sexual selection
o Natural selection is a battle in life where the strong will continue to live
o Every population tends to grow a lot because of the process of
reproduction
o To breed, adequate food and space are needed
o Increasing a population does not run continuously.
2) Jean Baptise de Lamarck
Lamarck's ideas about evolution were included in a book called "Philosophic
zoologique". In the book, Lamarck argues :
o The surrounding nature / environment has an influence on the traits or
traits that are inherited
o These characteristics / traits will be passed on to their offspring
o Organs that are often used will develop, whereas if not used they will
regress and even disappear
For example Lamacrk believes that giraffes were short-necked. Giraffe that can
adapt well to the environment (can take food on tall trees), the giraffe's neck will
develop into longer. A giraffe that has adapted to a long neck will bequeath traits
to its offspring. But on the contrary, for the giraffe's offspring who can not adapt
well to the environment, it will experience a setback.
 3) Alfred Wallace
Alfred Wallace has the same opinion as Charles Darwin, that the species that exist
today, are from past species that are able to survive.
4) Count De Buffen
Count De Buffen states that small variations occur due to the influence of the
inherited natural surroundings. Thus, the ability to adapt to the environment will
cause variations that lead to the formation of new species.
5) Sir Charles Lyeel
Sir Charles Lyeel states that rocks, islands and continents are changing.
6) Thomas Robert Malthus
Malthus argues that the increase in the number of people rises as a series of
measurements while the available food rises as a calculated value.
7) Anaximender
Anaximender believes that, Earth was originally an ocean, then developed into
land. Aquatic living things are modified so that they can live on land. In humans,
there are periods of fish and human parts called merman and mermaid. This fish-
like appearance exists during the baby's womb during the development process.
Then, the appearance will disappear in adult humans.
8) Aristotle
According to Aristotle, living things develop more perfect because of the
influence of certain powers, namely entelecy and living things on land derived
from living things in the ocean.
9) Epicurus
Epicurus had the same opinion with Aristotle that organisms change and develop
more complex and more advanced. But it is not Entelecy that influences it, but
natural law.
10) August Weismann
August Weismann complements Darwin's theory of evolution with modern
genetic theory. According to Weismann, evolution is a genetic problem that is a
matter of heredity how to pass genes through sex cells.

Comparison of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, Lamarck and Weismann

1. Comparison of Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Lamarck's Theory of Evolution

According to Darwin, evolution took place because of natural selection. Only
individuals who can adapt to their environment will survive and reproduce.
Whereas individuals who cannot adapt will die before they can multiply. The
ability to survive and reproduce can be passed on to the offspring of the offspring.
For example, Darwin argues that the length of a giraffe's neck is an example of
natural selection. Initially, giraffes have varied neck lengths. Long-necked giraffes
can reach the leaves in the treetops for food. As a result, giraffes with long necks
can live long enough to mate. Long-necked giraffes mate with long-necked giraffes
too and later will inherit these traits to their offspring.
 Short-necked giraffes will lack food because they cannot reach high leaves. As a
result, they die or are selected by nature before they marry. This causes the number
of short-necked giraffes to continue to decrease and ultimately only long-necked
giraffes are still present because they have passed natural selection because they
can adapt to their environmental conditions.
According to Lamarck, evolution occurs when organisms use organs continuously
so that they undergo changes. Parts of the body that are used intensively to deal
with certain environments will become bigger and stronger. While parts of the
body that are rarely used will experience a setback. Changes in properties obtained
from the environment can be passed on to their offspring.
Lamarck thought that the long giraffe's neck was the result of years of stretching or
stretching. The giraffe pulls its neck to get leaves in the top of the tree so that its
neck grows elongated. Changes in body shape are then passed on to his offspring.
However, just like Darwin, Lamarck believes that creatures that can adapt to the
environment will survive.
2. Comparison of Darwin's Theory of Evolution and Weismann's Theory of Evolution
August Weismann is a German biologist supporting Darwin's theory of evolution.
But unlike Darwin, Weismann argues that changes in body cells due to
environmental influences are not inherited from their offspring. Evolution involves
inheriting genes through sex cells. This means that evolution is related to the
phenomenon of natural selection for genetic factors.
Weismann believes that the nature of the long neck and short neck in giraffes is
controlled by genes. The gene for long neck is dominant, while the gene for short
neck is recessive. Therefore, long-necked giraffes are descended from homozygous
dominant or heterozygous. In contrast, short-necked giraffes are descendants that
are recessive homozygous. Short-necked giraffes that are recessive homozygotes
are unable to adapt to their environment and eventually become extinct.
3. Comparison of Lamarck's Theory of Evolution and Weismann's Theory of
Evolution
Lamarck argues that living things adapt to their environment by using their organs,
then the nature or function of these organs is inherited from their offspring. Based
on this theory, according to Lamarck, the ancestors of deer were not horned.
However, due to frequent head pitting, the horns grow on the deer's head.
However, Lamarck's theory was opposed by Weismann. Weismann believes that
changes in body cells resulting from environmental influences are not inherited
from their offspring. Weismann proved his theory in mice. Weismann mated two
mice, each of which had been cut off. Then, the adult rats are cut off and mated
with each other. The result is the rats still tailed. Weismann conducted this
experiment for up to 21 generations of mice and the results remained the same.

DAFTAR PUSTAKA

https://www.pelajaran.co.id/2017/15/pengertian-evolusi-teori-mekanisme-dan-bukti-adanya-
evolusi.html
https://docplayer.info/73613322-Daftar-isi-bab-i-pengertian-dan-ruang-lingkup-evolusi-1-
bab-ii-munculnya-kehidupan-pertama-di-bumi-14.html