Reference

Neo-Darwinism, also known as the Modern Synthesis, is considered a synthesis of different evolutionary theories primarily because it integrates Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection with Gregor Mendel's principles of genetics. Here's a comprehensive breakdown:

1. Darwin's Natural Selection: Charles Darwin proposed that species evolve over time through a process of natural selection. According to this theory, individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to the next generation.

2. Mendelian Genetics: Gregor Mendel's work on genetics, specifically his principles of heredity, laid the groundwork for understanding how traits are inherited through discrete units known as genes.

3. Integration of Theories: The Modern Synthesis, which emerged primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, united these two foundational ideas. This synthesis acknowledges that:

   • Mutations in genes produce new traits.
   • These traits can be passed from one generation to the next.
   • Natural selection acts on the variation in traits within a population, leading to evolutionary change over time.

4. Population Genetics: An important aspect of Neo-Darwinism is the incorporation of population genetics, which studies the distribution of and change in gene frequencies within populations. This field helps to quantify how forces such as mutation, natural selection, gene flow, and genetic drift affect genetic variation.

5. Evolutionary Mechanisms: Modern synthesis emphasizes the mechanisms of evolution, viewing populations as collections of genes (gene pools) and understanding evolution as changes in gene frequencies over time.

6. Empirical Support and Models: The synthesis has been supported by numerous empirical studies and has integrated various biological disciplines, from paleontology to molecular biology, to form a coherent understanding of evolutionary processes.

For further information, please refer to these sources:

• Britannica on Neo-Darwinism
• NCBI Article on Neo-Darwinism

Here is an image summarizing the key components of the Modern Synthesis: