Anyone Seen Evolution?

[Chris Colby]

cboake at utk.edu wrote:
 
> Please be aware that mutation is not evolution.  Mutation provides the
> ultimate raw material upon which natural selection can act.
> 
> __Evolution requires both natural selection and genetic variation.__

Evolution is any change in a gene pool. Natural selection is one
of the mechanisms of evolution, but evolution can occur in it's
absense. For example, a population can evolve via genetic drift.

Mutation is also a mechanism of evolution. It changes allele
frequencies slightly. In addition (as you mention) it supplies
genetic variation to the gene pool that other mechanisms, such
as selection, can act on.

> Cheers,
> Chris Boake

Chris Colby