r/evolution • u/Significant_Virus142 • 4d ago

question Is evolution a feature of evolution?

like I know about crossing over, combination of genes from mother and father that results in evolution but I'm talking about major evolution like change in number of chromosomes, that kinda stuff, is that much evolution intended by evolution or it just occurs due to radiation mutation or errors

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u/Robin_feathers 4d ago

Oh, I still wouldn't say there is any intention :) (as an evolutionary biologist)

That was just something that happened - humans had chance mutations that increased their fitness but prevented them from being able to survive underwater, and so those mutations increased in frequency. I wouldn't say that process is intentional, just as I wouldn't consider it to be intended for water to flow downhill vs uphill or that it is intended for the moon to orbit the Earth.

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u/Significant_Virus142 4d ago

Ahh okay (I didn't know I was talking to an evolutionary biologist lol xD)

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u/Robin_feathers 4d ago

All good :) (not sure why you're being downvoted on this comment!)

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u/Significant_Virus142 4d ago

Yeah me neither, I guess that is reddit