15-1: The Puzzle of Life’s Diversity Biology 2

Nature is a puzzle for science Humans share Earth with millions of other living organisms – Biological Diversity! EVOLUTION: change in a kind of organism over time; process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms Introduction

Charles Darwin was VERY IMPORTANT to evolution Sailed on the Beagle in 1800’s and studied animals around the world Visited many islands, studied animals, read books and wrote lots of ideas Voyage of the Beagle

Darwin saw a HUGE diversity while traveling – 68 different species of beetles He was surprised by how plants and animals were perfect for their environment He was also curious about how they survived and reproduced Darwin’s Observations

Darwin was confused by where species lived and why – For example: Argentina and Australia Australia has kangaroos, Argentina has rabbits Different animals live in different places to avoid fighting with each other Darwin’s Observations

Figured out that living animals are only part of the “puzzle” Found many fossils that looked like living plants/animals Also found some fossils that looked completely different from anything he could see FOSSIL: preserved remains or evidence of an ancient organism Darwin’s Observations

Darwin discovered different types of birds on different Galapagos Islands Figured out that the islands have different environments, so plants and animals need to “look” different to survive For example: Different bird beak shape and size for different types of food Darwin’s Observations

Section Assessment 1.Darwin was surprised by how __________ and __________ were perfect for their __________ 2.Different __________ live in different __________ to avoid __________ with each other 3.Figured out that __________ are only part of the “__________ ” 4.Figured out that the islands have different __________, so plants and animals need to “__________” different to __________