scientific theory - a theory that explains scientific observations; "scientific theories must be falsifiable"

biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms

Darwinism - a theory of organic evolution claiming that new species arise and are perpetuated by natural selection

Lamarckism - a theory of organic evolution claiming that acquired characteristics are transmitted to offspring

punctuated equilibrium, theory of punctuated equilibrium - a theory of evolution holding that evolutionary change in the fossil record came in fits and starts rather than in a steady process of slow change