Common descent

The theory of descent, also called theory of evolution is the scientific theory that states that all types go back to one or a few original forms as common ancestor, with the every living thing is connected in a straight line of descent.

After monophyletic (Greek: single-stemmed ) theory of evolution go all types to only one Urart back. Any amount of any living organisms has thus always only a recent common forefather and a consecutive number of other common ancestors. This applies to all living organisms and ever existing on Earth.

After the polyphyletic (Greek: multi-stemmed ) theory of evolution go all current types on several key tribes back.

The question of the mechanisms behind the origin of species in this process is the subject of evolution theories. The question of the origin of the common ancestor is explored in science in the context of chemical evolution.

Known representative of the theory of evolution was Charles Darwin.

The Descent theory explains the following material facts:

• Similarities between building plans of various animals that evolved from one another, such as the ancestors of the horse.
• Rudimentary organs and atavism
• Bridge forms ( Archaeopteryx, coelacanth )
• Fossils of extinct species
• Genetics (especially the most extensive universality of the genetic code )
• Biochemistry ( similarity important molecules in related animal groups such as insulin, hemoglobin)
• Developmental biology, possible connection between ontogeny and phylogeny

A statistical study from 2010 found that life most likely derived from a single Urart. A single common ancestor is then 102 860 times more likely than several.

Swell

• Schischkoff, Philosophical Dictionary, 22nd edition (1991 ), ISBN 3-520-01322-3/Abstammungslehre
• Rainbow / Meyer, dictionary of philosophical terms (2005) / theory of evolution

• Evolution