Page 8 - Research 1.0

HOW EVOLUTION WORKS

It is helpful to understand that evolution is a molecular
process. The random mutations that naturally occur during

cell division and replication (mitosis and meiosis) are the
raw material for the genetic variation we see in every
population of organisms. Mutations are ongoing and continuous
for every living species. "Mutations are essential to
evolution; they are the raw material of genetic variation.
Without mutation, evolution could not occur.''

https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/mutations
_01

Those genetic variants are subjected to a selection process
that is performed by whatever environment the organisms find
themselves. In this respect, evolution is an ongoing,
continuous set of natural experiments. Those that work get
perpetuated, those that don't, perish. It is as if the

environment acted as an umpire who says "There are good
mutations and there are bad mutations and there are neutral
mutations, but they ain't nuthin' until I (the environment)
calls 'em." That is Natural Selection. Neutral mutations just
go along for the ride producing neither immediate benefit nor
harm (Genetic Drift).

The result of those selection processes is organisms best
suited for their current environment. Should that environment
change, it would put the population under stress. If the
population gene pool has sufficient genetic variation it
increases the likelihood that at least some offspring should
be able to survive and perpetuate the species (albeit one of
slightly different genetic makeup).

What everyone should understand is that genetic changes do
not occur because of some 'need'. The mutations are RANDOM
and get selected if they are USEFUL. That is a process called
Natural Selction and it is anything BUT random.