1+Macro+and+micro+evolution

Our question is: What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution? Micro and macro are used to describe different scales of evolution. Macroevolution refers to evolution on a large scale in which new species can be created. Microevolution means small evolutionary changes that occur within one species.

Microevolution is the changes in allele frequencies that occur over a short period of time within a population. This change can be due to four different processes: mutation, selection, gene flow, or genetic drift. There are no arguments made about microevolution because it is observable and fits into the creationist model. Macroevolution is a theoretical biological process which is said to produce relatively large evolutionary changes within organisms. Macroevolution cannot be observed directly; instead it is studied through examination of fossils and the similarities and differences in the anatomy of organisms. This concept was introduced because of the absence of transition forms between higher taxa, which contrasts the expectations of Darwinian gradualism. Macroevolution was proposed as a mechanism responsible for large-scale patterns of evolution. However, there is some controversy of macroevolution among evolutionists. Although some evolutionists accept that macroevolution is simply a branch of microevolution, many others say that this large-scale evolutionary phenomenon can’t be explained by processes observed at the level of populations. Evolutionists continue to debate whether the Darwinian mechanisms of change can explain the discontinuous nature of evolution. One reason this controversy continues is because gradual transitions aren’t shown in the fossil record or even between living biota. If evolution were gradual and continuous, you would expect to find transitions between taxa. But, there is no midway between whales and terrestrial mammals, or between reptiles and mammals, or between reptiles and birds. All phyla of animals are separated by a gap. Also, the fossil record shows striking discontinuities, with new species appearing suddenly.

Sources: [|www.talkorigins.org/faqs/**macro**evolution.html] [] []

Kaylee and Hayden