The Evolution of Living Things Chapter 7 Sec. 1 "nothing in biology can be understood except in light of evolution" evolutionary biologist Dobzhansky

Charles Darwin

 British naturalist  : HMS Beagle – traveled to different parts of the world studying plants, animals and geology

Route of the HMS Beagle

Darwin’s Observations  He was amazed by the diversity of living things all over the world  He compared fossils of ancient animals to the body structures of living animals  Spent a year on the Galapagos Islands, off the western coast of South America studying the plants and animals there that had unique characteristics

 studied variations in beaks of finches of Galapagos Islands. "All the small birds that live on these lava-covered islands have short beaks, very thick at the base, like that of a bullfinch. This appears to be one of those admirable provisions of Infinite Wisdom by which each created thing is adapted to the place for which it was intended." -- Capt. Robert FitzRoy's Journal.

published the Origin of Species Theory of Evolution - Species change over time due to natural selection

Evolution  process by which populations of species change over time  changes are genetically inherited

 new species may replace older species  caused by genetic changes (adaptations) and environmental factors

 Adaptation: an inherited characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Giraffes with longer necks can reach food which makes them better adapted to survive.

4 Points of Natural Selection  Overproduction - Each species produces more offspring than will survive to reproduce

4 Points of Natural Selection  Variation - Individuals within a population are slightly different from one another.

4 Points of Natural Selection  Competition - Individuals within a population compete with one another for limited resources

4 Points of Natural Selection  Successful Reproduction (Selection)- Individuals that are better equipped to live in an environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Conclusion  Evolution is explained today by combining the principles of natural selection with the principles of genetic inheritance.