mechanisms of evolution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mechanisms of evolution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the processes and factors that drive evolutionary change in biological organisms. Example: "The mechanisms of evolution include natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, all of which contribute to the diversity of life on Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Invasion and extinction are the regenerative and rejuvenating mechanisms of evolution, the engines of biodiversity.

The Washington Post

Second, there are other mechanisms of evolution that don't cause adaptive change.

University of California, Berkeley

Scientists have worked out many examples of natural selection, one of the basic mechanisms of evolution.

University of California, Berkeley

These mechanisms of evolution, mutation and selection, can help us understand the persistence of Huntington's in populations.

University of California, Berkeley

Genetic drift — along with natural selection, mutation, and migration — is one of the basic mechanisms of evolution.

University of California, Berkeley

Studies of the relationships between different groups of bacteria continue to yield new insights into the origin of life on Earth and mechanisms of evolution.

Britannica

But most scientists don't like it, because they say there is no real debate over the fundamental validity of evolutionary theory, though there are certainly unanswered questions and debate about the relative importance of various mechanisms of evolution.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless he cautioned that the mechanisms of evolution are not all known — and that just as religion has no business in science, science should not overstep its bounds in declaring that God could have no role in creation.

The New York Times

While classification is primarily the creation of names for groups, systematics goes beyond this to elucidate new theories of the mechanisms of evolution.

University of California, Berkeley

Scott Dawson is a graduate student in Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) at UC Berkeley whose main scientific interests are the patterns and mechanisms of evolution in microbes.

University of California, Berkeley

The simplicity and power of natural selection and other mechanisms of evolution struck Carl as ideas that he could spend a career studying.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the underlying causes of evolutionary change, use the phrase "mechanisms of evolution" to highlight the specific processes like natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation.

Common error

Avoid using "mechanisms of evolution" when you actually mean the results of evolution. For example, instead of saying "The mechanisms of evolution led to the development of wings," say "Evolutionary processes led to the development of wings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mechanisms of evolution" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and categorize the various processes through which evolutionary change occurs. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

Academia

32%

News & Media

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mechanisms of evolution" is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in scientific, academic, and news contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to pinpoint the specific processes that drive evolutionary change, such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation. When writing about evolution, it's important to distinguish between the processes (mechanisms) and the outcomes. Related phrases include "evolutionary processes" and "drivers of evolution". Remember that while natural selection is a key mechanism, others contribute to the overall evolutionary narrative. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and academic literature, reflecting its formal and technical nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolutionary processes

Focuses on the processes involved in evolution, rather than the specific mechanisms.

drivers of evolution

Highlights the factors that drive or initiate evolutionary change.

evolutionary forces

Emphasizes the forces that act upon populations to cause evolution.

means of evolutionary change

Focuses on the methods or ways in which evolution occurs.

factors influencing evolution

Highlights the elements that have influence on evolutionary change.

processes of natural selection

Limits to the concept of natural selection as the driving process.

modes of evolutionary adaptation

Focuses on how organisms adapt through evolution.

genetic mechanisms of adaptation

Highlights that adaptation happens at the genetic level.

evolutionary pathways

Illustrates different ways evolution can happen.

principles of evolutionary biology

Focuses on the core principles that govern evolutionary processes.

FAQs

How does natural selection relate to the mechanisms of evolution?

Natural selection is a primary "mechanism of evolution", alongside others like genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. It's the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully.

What are some other mechanisms of evolution besides natural selection?

Besides natural selection, other "mechanisms of evolution" include genetic drift (random changes in allele frequency), mutation (new genetic variations), and gene flow (movement of genes between populations).

How do scientists study the mechanisms of evolution?

Scientists study the "mechanisms of evolution" through various methods, including observing natural populations, conducting experiments in controlled environments, and using molecular techniques to analyze genetic changes over time.

What is the difference between "evolution" and "mechanisms of evolution"?

"Evolution" refers to the overall process of change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. "Mechanisms of evolution" are the specific processes, such as natural selection and genetic drift, that cause these changes.