punctuated equilibrium..... (1 Viewer)

[MysticalElement]

how does punctuated equilibrium differ from darwin's theory of evolution???
vcan you put in dot points and not just copy past from some website please i've looked at some site but they go into too much detail

 

[NJMORTIMER]

Ah good question,
Darwin's theory of evolution describes a gradual and slow change that occurs as a result of environmental change (causing natural selection);
Punctuated equilibrium is simply a more 'jumpy' process where species will remain much the same for extended periods of time and then suddenly undergo rapid evolutionary change (usually as a result of a significant and relatively sudden environmental change). It can be used to help explain the incomplete nature of the fossil record as the transisition species will be far less common as they only occur in a relatively small 'layer' of the fossil record.

Hope that helps.