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Quote by: rez  quantum physics plays a key roll in studying Chemistry, in which chemistry plays a key roll in the way genes are structured. These two subjects would explain random mutation within genes.
Reproduction also plays a key role in understanding how chromosomes pair with each other which is how traits are passed on from generation to generation. |
Yep. Biology aside, external physical factors play a huge role in genetic mutation, and can vary according to exposure to radiation or chemicals. As if reproduction didn't complicate things enough, all other environmental factors may come into play.
"loser", you do seem to have a common misunderstanding of evolution. Scientists will often say, "we evolved to...", or "we adapted to..." as a short way of saying that a particular trait was selected for, whereas those who lacked that trait were killed off. It's easy to be confused by this sort of linguistic problem if you're not already familiar with evolution, as it seems to imply that our ancestors needed a certain characteristic and then gained it simply because they needed it. This Lamarckian misconception would imply that if I needed to fly in order to survive, I, or perhaps my children's children, would develop wings. As enjoyable as this would be, evolution does not function by the means of willing a characteristic into existence. It would be, perhaps, more accurate to say that evolution is spawned by "chance".