Living organisms have the characteristic of adaption by changing their traits in response to the external environment. In modern evolutionary theory, this change in traits is caused by changes in genes and become the major driving force of evolution. ...
Living organisms have the characteristic of adaption by changing their traits in response to the external environment. In modern evolutionary theory, this change in traits is caused by changes in genes and become the major driving force of evolution. However, in order to cope with sudden changes in the external environment, living organisms can create various new traits without changing genes, which is called phenotypic plasticity. This phenomenon is contrary to the gene-centered view of evolution and the basis for supporting the extended evolutionary synthesis. From a creationist"s point of view, phenotypic plasticity can be said to be the intrinsic ability of living organisms to adapt to the environment without gradual genetic changes.