15-1 The Puzzle of Life’s Diversity Pgs 369 - 372 BIOLOGY Baker

Evolution A change over a period of time. Studied using a collection of facts, observations and hypothesis about the history of life. HOMO HABILIS The first Homo 2.2-1.6 million years ago

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) Naturalist from England Wrote – The Origin of Species. Sailed on the HMS Beagle – a research ship

HMS Beagle (1831 – 1836) Cruised around the world. Collected data from organisms all around the world. Collected plant and animal species – including fossils.

Charles Darwin’s conclusions Called the variety of living organisms he observed a living diversity. Used the word fitness to describe the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce.

Adaptations Physical and behavioral traits that enable an organism to survive. Ex: Hawk’s hooked beak, school behavior

Influences on Darwin’s thinking Charles Lyell – a geologist. Thomas Malthus – an English economist.

Charles Lyell (1797 – 1875) Modern world is being shaped by the same forces that were at work millions of years ago. Believed the Earth was much older than people originally thought.

Thomas Malthus (1766 – 1834) Observed babies being born faster than people were dying. Something would soon happen to limit human population – war, famine, or disease.