Lessons Divided by Standard EOC D.1.E Explain how Malthus, Wallace and Lyell influenced Darwin’s thinking. Also explain how Darwin’s trip on HMS Beagle influenced his ideas about natural selection.

Naturalists and Geologists Ideas Shape Darwin’s Thinking In the 1700’s scientists begin to think about the Earth’s history and how species have changed. They believed the Earth was only 6000 years old and the species alive today developed during this time.

Naturalists and Geologists Ideas Shape Darwin’s Thinking Prior to the studies of Charles Darwin, the most widespread belief was that all known species were created at the same time and remained unchanged throughout history.

Naturalists and Geologists Ideas Shape Darwin’s Thinking Other scientists believed that features an individual acquired during a lifetime could be passed onto its offspring, and the species could gradually change to fit an environment better.

Evolutionary Timeline

Influential Scientist Summary: Carolus Linnaeus – Binomial nomenclature, taxonomy James Hutton – Theory of Gradualism Thomas Malthus – Human overpopulations struggle for resources and existence Charles Lyell – Theory of Uniformitarianism Alfred Russel Wallace – Theory of evolution, sent manuscript to Darwin Georges Cuvier – Theory of Catastrophism :

Carolus Linnaeus He rejected the idea that species have not changed. He developed the system of binomial nomenclature to classify organisms into taxons.

James Hutton Theory of Gradualism Earth must be much older than a few thousand years Changes on Earth occurred by small steps over long periods of time.

James Hutton Published the ‘Gradualism’ hypothesis about the formation of the earth. Layers of rock form very slowly, and are moved up by forces from the earth. Shaped by natural forces.

Thomas Malthus English economist Theory of Human Overpopulation: if our population continues to grow, lack of resources will cause some to die Insufficient living space Food runs out More disease Darwin applied this theory to animals

Thomas Malthus Predicted that the human population will grow faster than the space and food supplies needed to sustain it. Sooner or later there would be insufficient food and living space for everyone.

Thomas Malthus This is the book written by Malthus. Darwin applied the ideas in the book to his growing theory of evolution. Competition for resources and survival of the fittest are key concepts.

Thomas Malthus Darwin realized that many plants & animals have more offspring than can possibly live.

Charles Lyell Uniformitarianism: Processes that shape the Earth have been uniform throughout time. Geographical features can be built up or torn down Concluded the Earth much be much older than just a few thousand years. Darwin thought if earth changed over time, what about life?

Charles Lyell Published “Principles of Geology” Darwin read the book while sailing on the HMS Beagle. Helped Darwin understand how sea shells could be at an elevation of 12,000 feet in the Andes mountains.

George Cuvier Catastrophism: Natural disasters such as volcanoes, and earthquakes change the Earth’s shape and cause extinctions.

Evolutionary Timeline