The Theory of Evolution: What It Is, Where It Came From, and Why It WorksEverything mammals ever wanted to know about the theory of evolution-but were afraid to ask This important new book by award-winning science writer Cynthia Mills clearly explains one of the most crucial, and most misunderstood, concepts of modern science-the theory of evolution. After examining Darwin, his precursors, and how the theory of evolution developed, Mills answers key questions, including: How successful is the theory at explaining the natural world, and what does it fail to explain? What are some of the competing ideas and theories about the origin of the species? How will the theory of evolution likely hold up over time, as our understanding of genetics grows? Cynthia L. Mills (Portland, OR) is an award-winning science writer and veterinarian. Her article "Breeding and Discontents," originally published in The Sciences, was selected for The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2001, guest-edited by E. O. Wilson. Also in the same series: The Big Bang Theory (0-471-39452-1) by Karen C. Fox |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Making Up Darwins Mind | 19 |
What Darwin Said | 43 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
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The Theory of Evolution: What It Is, Where It Came From, and Why It Works Cynthia L. Mills No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
adapted Alfred Russel Wallace allele animals Bateson Beagle became behavior believed biologists biology birds breeding Bryan Buffon called Cambridge cells Charles Darwin chromosomes claimed collected complex created creation creationist Darwin's theory Darwinian deme described earth embryos entropy eugenics evolutionary theory example explain Fitzroy fossils Francis Galton Galápagos Galton genes genetic geneticists genome Gould gradual Haeckel Henslow Hooker human Huxley ideas individuals inheritance islands J. B. S. Haldane kin selection knew Lamarck living look Lyell math mathematics Mayr meant mechanism Mendel ment molecular molecules Muller mutations natural selection numbers offspring organisms Origin of Species parent pea plants physical population postulated predict proteins proved punctuated equilibrium reproduction result role scientific scientists Scopes trial seeds social Darwinism sociobiology sort Spencer started survival theory of evolution thought tion took traits variation Wallace Wallace's Weldon writing wrote