Theodosius Dobzhansky’s assertion that “nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution” highlights the fundamental role of evolution in understanding biology. Despite its importance, public acceptance of evolution in the U.S. remains low, with misconceptions prevalent among students. A common oversimplified definition of evolution—”change over time”—is frequently used in education due to its ease of memorization. However, this definition can lead to misunderstandings, such as the mistaken belief that individual organisms can evolve. This oversimplification also contributes to misconceptions, like equating evolution with individual changes or the transformation of logos and characters, which can mislead students about the true nature of evolutionary processes.
https://edutopia.org/article/teaching-stronger-definition-evolution
