Evolution Notes: Charles Darwin. Evolution The changes of populations over time.
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Transcript of Evolution Notes: Charles Darwin. Evolution The changes of populations over time.
Evolution Notes:
Charles Darwin
EvolutionThe changes of populations
over time
PopulationPopulation – group of
organisms all of the same species
NaturalistScientist who studies the natural
history of living organisms
Natural Selection a mechanism (method) for change in
populations.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was a naturalist (studied living things from around the world).
In 1831, he traveled on board HMS Beagle to Galapagos islands
Studying Animals on the Island Darwin spent time studying all the types of
animals on the island. He looked specifically at sizes and shapes of
the animals.
Finches
Darwin studied birds called finches.He collected finches from all over the island
(near water, near mountains, in the forest, etc.)
Darwin realized that the same kind of bird had different shaped beaks (What the heck?)
Darwin realized that different beaks helped the birds eat different things (nuts, berries, nectar).
He realized that the finch with beak #1 was better at cracking open nut shells, and it survived in the area where there were a lot of nuts available.
Finches
Natural Selection Darwin later wrote a book called On the Origin of
Species. Darwin proposed an idea called Natural Selection. Natural Selection - a mechanism (method) for
change in populations. Natural selection occurs when organisms (with
favorable variations) 1) survive, 2) reproduce, and 3) pass their variations to the next generation.
Natural SelectionThe individuals with the
“better” characteristics” will survive and reproduce…the others DIE
Small, subtle variations (like beaks) can eventually lead to whole new species
EVOLUTION: Small Variations that help organisms survive
Peppered Moth
Wholly Mammoth to Elephant
Natural Selection
Homework Questions1) Who is considered the “father of evolution?2) What idea did Darwin come up with after
studying Finch beaks?3) If you lived in a cold environment, would you
survive better with or without a lot of hair?4) In order for natural selection to work what
three things must happen?5) Explain the statement “Survival of the Fittest”