The theory of '''evolution''' is a [[Naturalism|naturalistic]] [[theory]] of the [[history]] of life on earth (this refers to the theory of evolution which employs [[methodological naturalism]] and is taught in schools and universities). In biology, evolution is understood as a process that results in changes in the genetic material of a population over time from adaptations of organisms to their environments. The study of evolution can be performed on different scales: ''microevolution'' reflects changes in DNA sequences and allele frequencies within a species over time (e.g. mutations, interbreeding), ''macroevolution'' reflects large-scale changes at the species level which result from the accumulation of numerous small changes on the microevolutionary scale. [[Natural selection]] is one commonly cited mechanism for driving evolution, but there are others such a genetic drift.<ref>[https://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/evolution-78/ Evolution - Nature (Journal)]</ref> Currently, there are several [[theories of evolution]]. See also: [[Theistic evolution]]. | The theory of '''evolution''' is a [[Naturalism|naturalistic]] [[theory]] of the [[history]] of life on earth (this refers to the theory of evolution which employs [[methodological naturalism]] and is taught in schools and universities). In biology, evolution is understood as a process that results in changes in the genetic material of a population over time from adaptations of organisms to their environments. The study of evolution can be performed on different scales: ''microevolution'' reflects changes in DNA sequences and allele frequencies within a species over time (e.g. mutations, interbreeding), ''macroevolution'' reflects large-scale changes at the species level which result from the accumulation of numerous small changes on the microevolutionary scale. [[Natural selection]] is one commonly cited mechanism for driving evolution, but there are others such a genetic drift.<ref>[https://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/evolution-78/ Evolution - Nature (Journal)]</ref> Currently, there are several [[theories of evolution]]. See also: [[Theistic evolution]]. |