Question

Read the following statements and choose the correct option.
Statement 1: Evolution is not a directed process in the sense of determinism
Statement 2: Evolution is a random process based on chance events in nature and chance mutation in organisms

• A. Statement 1 is true but statement 2 is false
• B. Statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true
• C. Both statements are true
• D. Both statements are false

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both statements are true

Evolution is the change in heritable traits of biological populations over successive generations giving rise to diversity. The concept of evolution is based on the idea that all species are related and have descended from a common ancestor progressively over time.

However, the direction of the evolution cannot be determined, it is under the influence of the surrounding environmental conditions and several other factors. The organisms which are able to survive in the changing environmental conditions and fit to reproduce are selected over the others. Hence, evolution is not a directed process in the sense of determinism.

Evolution, certainly is a random process based on chance events in nature and chance mutation in organisms.
For example, in a bacterial colony capable of surviving only at a normal or room temperature, few bacteria might develop resistance to high temperature through a chance mutation. Now, imagine, due to a chance event, if the temperature begins to rise, most of the bacteria will die but the mutants having resistance to high temperature will survive and multiply increasing their count and thus creating a new population.

Hence, evolution can be termed as a stochastic (random) process since it is not planned in advance.