Evolution vs Adaptation

 One of the most common misconceptions that I have encountered is that adaptations are the same as evolution. The relationship between evolution itself and adaptation sound easily intertwined but the processes are so very different. Adaptation is something an organism has to develop around a change in it's environment. For example, if the main food source for a rabbit suddenly dissipates in availability, then the rabbit may start consuming it's second preferred food source. On the other hand, evolution occurs when there is a random genetic mutation that on the off chance makes the organism better at surviving in the environment at its current state. Say that organism reproduces and the offspring also carries the mutation, then the offspring would be a better fit for survival. Overall, adaptation is changes that the organism makes within it's lifetime and evolution is a change to the genetic makeup of the organism that is passed through generations. 



I have encountered this misconception in about every "debate" regarding evolution with someone. I had a friend fight tooth and nail to tell me that adaptations were what drove evolution, and the fact that evolution is not real. However, after we discussed the details of what adaptation, evolution, and examples of evolution, they walked away from that conversation with a completely new perspective. 


I also just wanted to say that I have had more than one professor incorrectly explain that adaptations are what fuel evolution in lectures. That fact still baffles me every day...

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