Question

What is branching descent?

Answer 1

Hint: The term "theory of evolution" is a shortened form of the term "theory of evolution by natural selection," which was proposed in the nineteenth century by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.

Complete answer:
Natural selection refers to the differential survival and reproduction of individuals as a result of phenotypic differences. The change in the heritable traits characteristic of a population over generations is a key mechanism of evolution. The term "natural selection" was popularized by Charles Darwin, who contrasted it with artificial selection, which, in his opinion, is intentional, whereas natural selection is not.

Within all populations of organisms, there is variation. This occurs in part because random mutations occur in an individual organism's genome, and their offspring can inherit such mutations. Individuals' genomes interact with their environments to cause trait variations throughout their lives. A genome's environment includes the molecular biology in the cell, other cells, other individuals, populations, species, as well as the abiotic environment.

The process of developing a new species from a single common descendant is known as branching descent. As new species evolved, they became geographically adapted to a new environment. This resulted in reproductive isolation and, eventually, the emergence of a new species. Darwin's finches are finch varieties that evolved from grain-eaters/Australian marsupials, which evolved from common marsupials.

Note: Natural selection acts on the phenotype, the characteristics of the organism that interact with the environment, but the genetic (heritable) basis of any phenotype that provides a reproductive advantage may become more common in a population.