Charles Darwin Scientist who came up with the theory of Evolution Darwin originally went to school to study medicine, but instead got a degree in Theology He was interested in studying plants and animals – A naturalist He signed up for a 5 year voyage around the world, despite what his father wanted The ship was a British naval ship called the HMS Beagle

The Voyage The adventure went to many places around the world, including the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in South America Darwin observed, kept notes, and collected samples of the plants animals. One animal he is noted for are his detailed observation of the finches. There are slight differences in their beaks and what they eat.

Thinking….? Not until Darwin returned to England did he start formulating his theory. He thought about how humans used selective breeding for crops and live stock. Selective Breeding – humans,not nature, select which traits will be passed to the next generation. He thought this could happen in nature over longer periods of time.

Darwin learned from others Geologists- had evidence that the earth was older than previously thought. Charles Lyell- geologist who stated that the earth formed over a long period of time He also read an Essay on Principle of Population by Thomas Malthus. He learned about how populations fluctuated in size based on food and predators. He wondered what was so special about the animals that did survive. What genetic traits made those animals better equipped to survive and reproduce, therefore passing on that special trait.

Natural Selection Alfred Wallace- another scientist who came up with the theory of evolution In 1859, 20 years after Darwin returned from the voyage, he published his results in a book called On The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection Natural Selection – the process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce at a higher rate than organisms without the favorable trait.

The Steps: 1. Overproduction – Each species produces more offspring than will survive to maturity. 2. Genetic Variation – The individuals in a population are slightly different from on another due to different genes. The variations are genetic are can be inherited. 3. Struggle to Survive – Only some individuals will survive to adulthood due to lack of resources within the environment. 4. Successful Reproduction - Successful reproduction is the key to natural selection. The individuals that are well adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

More Evidence  Darwin didn’t understand genetics.  In the ‘30s and ‘40s, scientists combined his theory with the understanding of genetics.  Those variations within a species were caused by mutations in the DNA.  Those mutations could be helpful to allow an organism to survive in their environment. Especially if the environment changed.

True or False Charles Darwin is responsible for the theory of Evolution.

True or False The name of the ship he traveled on to the Galapagos Islands was The Beagle

True or False Selective breeding is due to human interference not nature.

True or False Overproduction is when each species produces less offspring than will survive.

True or False Genetic Variation is when all the organisms have the same genetic information.