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How has the study of evolution impacted our understanding of genetics?

Xiomara Whannel

The study of evolution has helped us understand how different living things are related to each other, and how they have changed over time. One of the ways that this has impacted our understanding of genetics is by showing us how traits are passed down from one generation to the next.

You see, when an animal or plant has a certain trait, like the color of its fur or the shape of its leaves, there's a good chance that its babies will have that trait too. This is because traits are often controlled by genes, which are little bits of information that are passed down from parents to their children.

Scientists have discovered that some genes are more common in certain populations of animals or plants, which can help them understand how different species are related to each other. For example, if two species of birds have very similar genes that control the shape of their beaks, it might mean that they are closely related and evolved from a common ancestor millions of years ago.

Studying evolution has also helped us understand how new traits can arise over time. Sometimes, a mutation in a gene can cause a new trait to appear in an animal or plant, like a different color of fur or a longer neck. If that trait helps the animal or plant survive better in its environment, it might become more common in the population over time.

Finally, the study of evolution has helped us understand how human genetics works too. By comparing our DNA to that of other animals, scientists have discovered that we share a lot of genetic information with other primates like chimpanzees and gorillas. This suggests that we all evolved from a common ancestor a long time ago.

Overall, the study of evolution has been incredibly important in helping us understand how living things are related to each other, and how they have changed over time. By understanding how genetics is involved in these processes, we can learn more about how different species adapt and evolve in response to their environments.