What do gradualism and punctuated equilibrium have in common?
a. they are both explanations of the rate of evolutionary change.
b. they are both explanations that were put forth by darwin.
c. they both discredit the theory of evolution.
d. they both utilize radioactive dating over relative dating.

Answer;

They are both explanations of the rate of evolutionary change.

Explanation;

Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are two ways in which the evolution of a species can occur.

-Gradualism is selection and variation that happens more gradually. Over a short period of time it is hard to notice. Small variations that fit an organism slightly better to its environment are selected for: a few more individuals with more of the helpful trait survive, and a few more with less of the helpful trait die.

-In punctuated equilibrium, change comes in spurts. There is a period of very little change, and then one or a few huge changes occur, often through mutations in the genes of a few individuals. Mutations are random changes in the DNA that are not inherited from the previous generation, but are passed on to generations that follow.

Both Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are explanations of the rate of evolutionary change. Therefore, the correct answer is A

Gradualism and equilibrium are two different ways in which the evolution of species can take place.

Gradualism is a variation that occurs gradually and can be cannot be recognized easily over a short period.  Evidence of gradualism has been found by scientists in the geologic process. Scientists describe gradualism as some of the processes that are going on in earth’s landforms and surfaces. They also pointed out that the mechanisms it contained, erosion, plate tectonics combines the processes that in some aspects appear destructive and others constructive.

Punctuated equilibrium, on the other hand, has to do with the notion that since no changes can be seen in a species, there must however be a period when no changes take place. Punctuated equilibrium maintains that evolution happen in a short burst with a longer period of equilibrium.

One of the scientists that proposed punctuated equilibrium is William Bateson, he argued that species can only evolve rapidly and not gradually. He believed that evolution occurs rapidly in a species with a long period of stability.

Thus, Both Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are explanations of the rate of evolutionary change. Both are accepted ideas of how evolution occurs in a species.

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