Module 7

 Taking Stock


Since we've begun class, I've realized that there is so much more that contributes to evolution than I had previously thought. The biggest breakthrough to me was realizing that evolution is all caused by mutations. I hadn't completely realized that until this class, I just figured natural selection and genetic drift and other methods of evolution like that just happened. Now, I realize that at the base of it, all evolution is at least in some way started by mutations in genes and DNA that cause the methods of evolution to actually work. 

Looking back on my first blog post, I would change a little, but not much. One thing I do need to change, however, is my previous statement that is "Evolution is how organisms change from generation to generation". It should be "Evolution is how overall populations change from generation to generation", this is more accurate as organisms themselves don't evolve, but populations do. My understanding of evolution has changed in the way that so much more contributes to evolution than I originally thought. 

I still struggle with some of the methods of evolution like genetic drift, as I'm still not entirely sure what that is, and no matter how much I google it, I can't seem to find a good example. The R Exercises have been great for helping and demonstrating other methods of evolution, and I love the graphs we make that aid the explanations. 

I am most curious about how mutations occur in an organism's genetic code, and just how often these mutations end up being beneficial. That might be a little out of scope for this class, but I think it would be interesting to do more research on this. I'm also interested in how the general public's understanding of evolution changes throughout my life. I think right now most people don't understand evolution as much as they should, and a lot of people tend to disregard it. I'm excited to see what the rest of the semester entails and can't believe we're already halfway done!

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