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Charles Darwin and Evolutionary Theory

Explore the life of Charles Darwin, an English naturalist who proposed the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection in the 1800s. Learn about his research on the HMS Beagle and his observations that laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology.

neville-stephens
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Charles Darwin and Evolutionary Theory

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  1. Evolution by Natural Selection Part 1: Darwin Part 2: Adaptations

  2. Who is Charles Darwin? Part 1

  3. An English naturalist in the 1800’s • Studied to be a minister • Did most of his research while working on the HMS Beagle as the science officer • Voyage took 7 years • Sailed along the coast of South America • Explored the Galapagos Island chain • Collected thousands of specimens (plants and animals), collected data on weather and ocean currents

  4. Darwin’s Theory

  5. Proposed The Theory of Evolution By Natural Selection • Based on 5 key observations • those organisms best adapted to the environment will most likely survive; “survival of the fittest” • those organisms that survive will mostly likely reproduce • genetic traits are passed on from parents to offspring who usually look similar to parents • more offspring are produced than can survive – the idea of overproduction to ensure some will survive to reproduce • organisms compete for needed resources: • a. food • b. water • c. shelter d. space / territory e. mates 

  6. What are Adaptations? Part 2

  7. Traits that help an organism survive • Helpful, positive physical or behavioral characteristics • Allow organisms to: 1. get food 2. protect themselves 3. reproduce/find a mate 4. withstand environment

  8. Types of Adaptations

  9. structural: • a body part or coloration that aids survival • 1.) wings, beak shapes, long legs, antlers, etc. • 2.) camouflage or protective coloration • * allows an organism to blend in or hide in its surroundings • 3.) mimicry or protective resemblance • * organism looks like or acts like something it’s not

  10. Physiological • the ability to control life functions to aid survival • 1.) hibernation (slowing down metabolism, breathing, heart rate) • 2.) marine mammals holding breath for long time • 3.) certain plants in extreme conditions (salty, dry, underwater)

  11. Behavioral: • actions that aid survival • learned behaviors 1.) behaviors taught to or learned by experience 2.) example: knowing where the water hole is or knowing what to eat • Instincts 1.) behaviors genetically inherited from parents; “just know how” 2.) example: knowing when to migrate, sensing danger, mating season

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