The expansion and modification of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection in the light of genetic studies and also relevant discoveries in molecular biology. The collection of such data into one coherent theory of evolution has been termed the modern synthesis. Genetics explains how variations in a species arise by both chromosome and gene mutations, and how these variations are maintained by the recombination and reassortment of different alleles. Studies in population genetics have emphasized the importance of * genetic drift and isolating mechanisms when considering the formation of new species (speciation). See also Darwinism , Weismannism , natural selection , mutation theory. |
