Evolution and Engineering
Answer the following questions:
1.
How do engineers decide what to make and how to make it?
Engineers define a problem to be solved, then examine the problem and its causes and
effects to determine a proper solution that fits the problem. Engineering is a cyclic
process, requiring constant re-iteration and re-evaluation until the problem is solved in
the most efficient way possible.
2.
What is evolution?
Evolution is the change in genetic makeup of a population over a period. Evolution leads
to different concentrations of genes and alleles within a population, which increased
genetic diversity and paves the way for further evolution, as these genes are combined
and shared within the population.
3.
What is the process of natural selection?
Natural selection is a process which naturally favours a more fit population. This leads to
less genetically fit individuals dying off before they have the chance to reproduce. On the
other hand, individuals that are more genetically fit survive for longer and are more likely
to reproduce and pass on their genes to their offspring.
4.
How might the process of evolution by natural selection be similar to the engineering
design process?
The engineering design process and the process of natural selection are both cyclic
processes, constantly feeding back into the process, requiring a multitude of iterations to
reach a final solution.
5.
How might natural selection and the engineering design process be different?
Both systems aim to solve a problem, but in the case of natural selection, time and genetic
variety are the driving factors, while the engineering design process incorporates various
facets of the physical world, including physics and mathematics. The engineering design
process is utilized to solve a problem, which natural selection solely focuses on the
biological fitness of an individual, and its ability to reproduce.