Darwin and his Theory of Evolution

Darwin’s Background Born in England, 1809 Studied Medicine at Edinburgh University Transferred to Cambridge University Studied to be a Minister Darwin’s Background Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ61-104].

Darwin’s Expedition - 1831 Hired as Naturalist on H.M.S. Beagle Sailed on Five Year Scientific Expedition Down East Coast of South America Up Pacific Coast to Galapagos Islands Made Stops on Mainland and Islands Observed Variety of Life and Habitats Darwin’s Expedition - 1831

Darwin’s Work Outlined Theory in his Book in 1859: On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection Published Other Works on Biology Died in 1882 Darwin’s Work

Summary of Origin of Species Proposed Evolution Resulting from Natural Selection: Organisms Produce Many Offspring Competition for Food, Territory, Mates, etc. Those With Best Traits Survive Organisms Change Over Many Generations Time Frame: Millions of Years Summary of Origin of Species

Darwin’s Support for His Theory Characteristics of Organisms Coincide With Habitats Changes Produced by Breeding of Organisms Geologic Ages Suggested by Charles Lyell Similarities of Various Organisms Darwin’s Support for His Theory

Limitations of Darwin’s Theory Apparent Limits to Variation No Mechanism For Sufficiently New Characteristics Transitional Forms Would Require Special Environments Oversimplified View of Living Cells The Origin of Life Unexplained Limitations of Fossil Record Limitations of Darwin’s Theory

Limitations of the Fossil Record Sudden Appearance of Complex Life Lack of Clear Transitional Forms Gives More Evidence For Species Disappearance Limitations of the Fossil Record Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0006585. Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society. American Memory Collection

Limitations of the Fossil Record Sudden Appearance of Complex Life Lack of Clear Transitional Forms Gives More Evidence For Species Disappearance Explanation of Strata Insufficient Limitations of the Fossil Record