Genetics and the Origin of Species
Encyclopedia
Genetics and the Origin of Species (ISBN 0-231-05475-0) is a 1937 book by the twentieth century Ukrainian-American evolutionary biologist Theodosius Dobzhansky
and one of the important books of the modern evolutionary synthesis
. The book describes the Modern Synthesis of Evolution Theory, also known as Synthetic Theory of Evolution. A third edition was published in 1951. Dobzhansky's book provides the world with an explanation of organic diversity. His work develops Charles Darwin
's principle of natural selection
and Gregor Mendel
's theory of genetics.
Charles Darwin developed the theory of natural selection. Natural selection is a key component for evolutionary biology. His idea of "survival of the fittest" and how only certain traits will be passed down to offspring in order to maintain the strongest components of survival relate to Gregor Mendel's idea of genetics. Darwin's findings support the idea that certain traits will be passed down while other traits will fade away. The "Father of Genetics," Gregor Mendel studied the concept of genetics and passing of traits from parents to their offspring. Mendel performed many experiments that helped him determine how traits were passed from the parent to the offspring. This is a key component to know when dealing with evolution and how adaptations affect the passing of certain traits.
Theodosius Dobzhansky, as an evolutionary biologist wanted to determine what the differences between populations of species were through genetics. Through his work on the Drosophilia pseudoobscura, he was able to identify that some of the populations of this species did not have identical sets of genes. Dobzhansky, not only helped explain Darwin's natural selection more, he also showed how some species come about through mutations.
Dobzhansky used experimental breeding in laboratories and gardens, and also surveys related to species in nature to help support the aspects of organic evolution. The data in his book shows the different genetic mutations and chromosomal changes that were observed. All of the results from his experiments support the theory of modern evolutionary synthesis.
Overall, Genetics and the Origin of Species, shows the importance of our genes, gene mutations that can occur, and chromosomal changes that can occur. Dobzhansky, also shows the significance of natural selection as the main shifting process that occurs in the extermination and conservation of individuals. The idea of isolation is also described in his work and how it is important for the establishment and maintenance of species and races in nature. All of these topics that are discussed in Dobzhansky's book are explanations for the reality of species and their natural classification in organic evolution. Theodosius Dobzhansky's work is an example of how scientists work off of each other's work in order to develop theories more. All of Dobzhansky's data findings further explain both Darwin's theory of natural selection and Mendel's theory of genetics.
For Genetics and the Origin of Species Dobzhansky was awarded the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
from the National Academy of Sciences
in 1941. Sixty years after its publication, the National Academy of Sciences
commissioned a book entitled Genetics and the Origin of Species: From Darwin to Molecular Biology 60 Years After Dobzhansky.
It was also included in the 1990 edition of Great Books of the Western World
, placing it with Charles Darwin
's two great works The Origin of Species
and the Descent of Man.
Theodosius Dobzhansky
Theodosius Grygorovych Dobzhansky ForMemRS was a prominent geneticist and evolutionary biologist, and a central figure in the field of evolutionary biology for his work in shaping the unifying modern evolutionary synthesis...
and one of the important books of the modern evolutionary synthesis
Modern evolutionary synthesis
The modern evolutionary synthesis is a union of ideas from several biological specialties which provides a widely accepted account of evolution...
. The book describes the Modern Synthesis of Evolution Theory, also known as Synthetic Theory of Evolution. A third edition was published in 1951. Dobzhansky's book provides the world with an explanation of organic diversity. His work develops Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
's principle of natural selection
Natural selection
Natural selection is the nonrandom process by which biologic traits become either more or less common in a population as a function of differential reproduction of their bearers. It is a key mechanism of evolution....
and Gregor Mendel
Gregor Mendel
Gregor Johann Mendel was an Austrian scientist and Augustinian friar who gained posthumous fame as the founder of the new science of genetics. Mendel demonstrated that the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants follows particular patterns, now referred to as the laws of Mendelian inheritance...
's theory of genetics.
Charles Darwin developed the theory of natural selection. Natural selection is a key component for evolutionary biology. His idea of "survival of the fittest" and how only certain traits will be passed down to offspring in order to maintain the strongest components of survival relate to Gregor Mendel's idea of genetics. Darwin's findings support the idea that certain traits will be passed down while other traits will fade away. The "Father of Genetics," Gregor Mendel studied the concept of genetics and passing of traits from parents to their offspring. Mendel performed many experiments that helped him determine how traits were passed from the parent to the offspring. This is a key component to know when dealing with evolution and how adaptations affect the passing of certain traits.
Theodosius Dobzhansky, as an evolutionary biologist wanted to determine what the differences between populations of species were through genetics. Through his work on the Drosophilia pseudoobscura, he was able to identify that some of the populations of this species did not have identical sets of genes. Dobzhansky, not only helped explain Darwin's natural selection more, he also showed how some species come about through mutations.
Dobzhansky used experimental breeding in laboratories and gardens, and also surveys related to species in nature to help support the aspects of organic evolution. The data in his book shows the different genetic mutations and chromosomal changes that were observed. All of the results from his experiments support the theory of modern evolutionary synthesis.
Overall, Genetics and the Origin of Species, shows the importance of our genes, gene mutations that can occur, and chromosomal changes that can occur. Dobzhansky, also shows the significance of natural selection as the main shifting process that occurs in the extermination and conservation of individuals. The idea of isolation is also described in his work and how it is important for the establishment and maintenance of species and races in nature. All of these topics that are discussed in Dobzhansky's book are explanations for the reality of species and their natural classification in organic evolution. Theodosius Dobzhansky's work is an example of how scientists work off of each other's work in order to develop theories more. All of Dobzhansky's data findings further explain both Darwin's theory of natural selection and Mendel's theory of genetics.
For Genetics and the Origin of Species Dobzhansky was awarded the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal
The Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for meritorious work in zoology or paleontology published in a three- to five-year period." Named after Daniel Giraud Elliot, it was first awarded in 1917....
from the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
in 1941. Sixty years after its publication, the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
commissioned a book entitled Genetics and the Origin of Species: From Darwin to Molecular Biology 60 Years After Dobzhansky.
It was also included in the 1990 edition of Great Books of the Western World
Great Books of the Western World
Great Books of the Western World is a series of books originally published in the United States in 1952 by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. to present the western canon in a single package of 54 volumes. The series is now in its second edition and contains 60 volumes.-History:The project got its start...
, placing it with Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
's two great works The Origin of Species
The Origin of Species
Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, published on 24 November 1859, is a work of scientific literature which is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. Its full title was On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the...
and the Descent of Man.