MadSci Network: Evolution |
It seems that the process of evolution requires a certain amount of time, for all the mutations, some species dying, others surviving, etc. I am wondering if there is any mathematical way to estimate how long this should take, from amoebas to humans (how many necessary mutations, the odds of each one, the length of a generation, etc). Then, how does this number compare to the history of life on Earth? I am a firm believer in evolution, but this seems like a fair question, and would help respond to the nagging question "how could purely random mutations create scuh complex beings?"
Re: Can we mathematically estimate how long evolution should take?
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Evolution.