Table 2 Comparison/contrast of the two major dynamic processes of biological change

Basic definition

Genomic (inherited) changes in populations over successive generations

Changes within the life history of an individual organism

Time frame/scale

Change occurs between generations of related entities

Change occurs within lifespan (birth to death) of single entity

Source of change

Inherited changes due to random mutation and directed selection

Preprogrammed changes occur via unfolding/expression of internal plan

Programmed?

Teleonomic (apparently goal-directed but not teleologic) yet not programmed

Teleonomic & programmatic, with changes guided by and based on program of coded information

Adaptive?

Generational changes of organisms adapt to changes in environment

Changes within organisms generally do not relate to adaptation or respond to environmental shifts