Intelligent Design Investigation

Explore the Evidence

Biological Innovation and Evolutionary Mechanisms  •  12 evidence records
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This investigation draws upon 12 related evidence records. They are grouped below according to the part of the investigation they help us examine. Select any record for a closer look at the observation, scientific background, significance, uncertainties, and its relevance to Intelligent Design.

Mechanisms We Can Observe

Genetic Variation

Mutation and Genetic Variation

Mutations and other genetic changes continually introduce variation into populations. These changes provide raw material upon which selection, drift, and other evolutionary processes can act.
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Natural Selection

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection changes populations when inherited variations affect survival or reproduction. It can produce substantial adaptation to particular environments.
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Experimental Evolution

Experimental Evolution

Laboratory evolution experiments allow researchers to observe populations over many generations and identify genetic changes associated with adaptation and new traits.
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Experimental Innovation

The Lenski Citrate Innovation

In Richard Lenski's long-term evolution experiment, one population of Escherichia coli evolved the ability to exploit citrate under aerobic experimental conditions, providing a detailed case study of evolutionary innovation.
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Sources of Genetic and Functional Innovation

Gene Duplication

Gene Duplication and New Functions

Gene duplication creates additional copies of genetic material that can subsequently diverge in sequence, regulation, and function.
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New Genes

The Origin of New Genes

New genes can arise through several mechanisms, including duplication and modification of existing genes and, in some cases, from previously noncoding DNA.
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Protein Innovation

Changes in Protein Function

Mutations can alter protein activity, specificity, stability, regulation, and interactions. Experimental studies allow researchers to trace some pathways between related protein functions.
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Regulatory Evolution

Changes in Gene Regulation

Biological traits can change when existing genes are expressed at different times, places, or levels without requiring the origin of entirely new proteins.
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From Populations to New Forms

Speciation

Speciation and Reproductive Isolation

Populations can diverge until gene flow is reduced or reproductive isolation develops. Speciation has been studied in nature, laboratory populations, and genomic comparisons.
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Developmental Evolution

Developmental Change and Body Plans

Animal form is produced by developmental systems that control when and where genes act. Changes in these systems can alter anatomy, but major body-plan innovations involve coordinated developmental changes.
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Repeated Evolutionary Outcomes

Convergent Evolution

Convergence and Repeated Solutions

Similar traits sometimes arise independently in different evolutionary lineages. Convergence provides evidence about both the possibilities and constraints of biological change.
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Assessing the Explanatory Reach

Design Assessment

From Observed Change to Major Innovation

Evolutionary mechanisms produce observable genetic and phenotypic change. The final question is how evidence from those processes bears upon the origin of major new structures, systems, and forms of biological organization.
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  Evidence records distinguish observations from proposed explanations and areas that remain uncertain.