What's a simplified version of Darwin's theory of evolution?

Genes that enhance an organism’s chances of reproduction are positively selected. In a nutshell, better sex is better for the organism. (Now, who can argue with that!)

The reproduction of DNA in sperm and eggs is imperfect, and there are often mutations which can affect the characteristics of the organism resulting from that sperm or egg. Sometimes, this mutation gives the organism an advantage in reproducing or surviving in its particular environment. Thus, it has a better chance of having children, and those children will probably also receive this mutated gene. If it gives them the same advantage as it did their parent, they too will have a better chance of reproducing, and so on. Naturally, if individuals with the new gene reproduce faster than those without, the proportion of carriers relative to the general population will grow, until all or most individuals are carriers. The process is generally slow, and is definitely not perfect, but on average individuals with a favorable mutation will reproduce faster, and spread the mutated gene, until, generations later, everyone has it.

If you die before you reproduce, you didn’t deserve to reproduce. If you die after you reproduce but still shouldn’t have reproduced, hopefully your offspring will die before they reproduce.

The kid that is dumb enough to try to fly because he is wearing a Superman cape doesn’t grow up to have kids of his own.

Short (slightly sloppy, but i think sufficient) Proof

First of all, due to the fact that speciation can occur at anytime, genetically separating groups of organisms from reproducing with each other.

Secondly, due to the fact that random mutation can occur affecting the physical makeup, functions and reproductive success of a population of organisms

Conclusion: the potential exists in all life for entirely new populations of organisms to develop over time that look, act, and function in very different ways from their ancestors.

Given enough time, some chemicals organized themselves into human beings, at least once.

Extremely simplified, huh?

Adapt or vanish

Oh, are we going for like a 1 liner for promotional purposes?

Change or be damned.

Wait, do we want Darwin’s theory, or do we want current evolutionary science?

To quote Wikipedia:
Darwin’s theory of evolution is based on key facts and the inferences drawn from them, which biologist Ernst Mayr summarised as follows:[1]

* Every species is fertile enough that if all offspring survived to reproduce the population would grow (fact).
* Despite periodic fluctuations, populations remain roughly the same size (fact).
* Resources such as food are limited and are relatively stable over time (fact).
* A struggle for survival ensues (inference).
* Individuals in a population vary significantly from one another (fact).
* Much of this variation is inheritable (fact).
* Individuals less suited to the environment are less likely to survive and less likely to reproduce; individuals more suited to the environment are more likely to survive and more likely to reproduce and leave their inheritable traits to future generations, which produces the process of natural selection (inference).
* This slowly effected process results in populations changing to adapt to their environments, and ultimately, these variations accumulate over time to form new species (inference).

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Evolutionary Biology, OTOH, is: “Evolutionary biology is a sub-field of biology concerned with the origin of species from a common descent and descent of species, as well as their change, multiplication and diversity over time.”

Species change over time. Some changes are good, allow them to better adapt to their environment. Some are not. Since it’s blind, there’s no way of knowing what direction traits will take.

Species change (evolve) over time as their inherited traits (characteristics) change.
The variations are small from generation to generation, but over many generations they can be huge.

Their are four mechanisms of change:
1) Genetic Variation- Mutation and sexual reproduction (errors in the duplication of parents’ DNA and offspring which are not exactly like either parent)
2) Migration – populations can interbreed with slightly different members of their species
3) Genetic drift – Chance, change of environment. For example, a tsunami might wipe out most of the North-going Zaxes on an island, leaving only South-going Zaxes to reproduce
4) Natural Selection – Say the tsunami had hit the north side of the island, where North-going Zaxes congregate. In this case, South-going is a positively selected trait.

A good site to begin studying this is Evolution 101 at Berkeley.edu

Things that survive better in an environment live to have more kids. Things that don’t, don’t.

Note: Darwin did not know about genetics, dudes.

Then there’s Darwins theory of sexual selection. Attractive animals have the most sex…still relevant today.

@Lightlyseared ”... ladies.”

Since we’re having fun with Darwin, I humbly present, The Darwin Awards.

Note: Darwin did not know about genetics, dudes.

Good point. I think I would change my answer to leave out mutation, which Darwin didn’t know about.

The rest fits Darwin’s ideas. Though he did not know the mechanics of heredity (genetics) he did describe the results.

Those members of a species best adapted to survival are most likely to live to pass on their genes, while those least adapted to survival are least likely to live to pass on their genes. With each passing generation, the entire species as a whole becomes better adapted to survival, eventually those elements of a species which allow it to better survive become strong enough to be considered a characteristic in and of itself, hence a new species is born, one with a feature or trait that was lacking in the species from which it evolved.

Things change over time to better reflect the environment.

Let simmer for a LONG time. Something will come of it.

We’re all monkeys from the goo.

Andy Kaufman?!

I thought you were dead?

Or is this Tony Clifton?

Only for tax purposes.

Discover your inner fish.

We studied this recently and my simplified version for 8 year olds is:
Over millions of years animals change to survive in their environment.
Simples!