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Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

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Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
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Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Evolution and complexity: the double-edged sword.

Thomas Miconi1

  • 1School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. t.miconi@cs.bham.ac.uk

Artificial Life
|May 21, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Darwinian evolution can lead to increased complexity, but only under specific conditions. Without these conditions, evolution may hinder complexity growth, acting as a double-edged sword.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Complexity science

Background:

  • The concept of an 'arrow of complexity' in evolution is debated, with interpretations ranging from incidental growth to a directed bias.
  • Understanding the conditions under which complexity increases is crucial for evolutionary theory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if and when an arrow of complexity emerges in Darwinian evolution.
  • To differentiate between passive trends and active biases driving complexification.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of evolutionary principles.
  • Formulation of conditions necessary for sustained complexity increase.

Main Results:

  • An arrow of complexity does emerge in evolution, best understood as a passive trend.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

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Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
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Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase

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Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
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Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

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  • Darwinian evolution predictably drives increased maximum complexity when specific conditions are met.
  • If these conditions are absent, evolution can prevent complexity growth.

    • Conclusions:

    • Evolution is a double-edged sword regarding complexity; it can foster significant increases but also inhibit them.
    • The emergence of complexity is contingent on specific, identifiable conditions within the evolutionary process.