Science and Charles Darwin Ch. 16 Evolution Targets: State Charles Darwin’s contributions to science. Identify scientists influencing Darwin and his Theory of Natural Selection Explain the role of inherited variation in artificial selection. Explain natural selection using correct terms Describe what homologous structures and embryology suggest about the process of evolutionary change. Explain how molecular evidence can be used to trace the process of evolution.

Young Charles Darwin Born in 1809 Born in 1809 in Shrewbury, England Studied medicine and ministry in his twenties Studied medicine and ministry in his twenties His true interest was nature His true interest was nature Encouraged by his Cambridge professor to take a job as a naturalist Encouraged by his Cambridge professor to take a job as a naturalist

Darwin traveled on the H.M.S. Beagle working as a naturalist for five years Darwin traveled on the H.M.S. Beagle working as a naturalist for five years He traveled along the east and west coasts of South America He traveled along the east and west coasts of South America He studied differences within the land and collected fossils He studied differences within the land and collected fossils

Galapagos Islands about 600 miles west of South America As a naturalist, Darwin collected specimens with great care and interest As a naturalist, Darwin collected specimens with great care and interest

As he traveled, Darwin noticed three distinctive patterns of biological diversity: As he traveled, Darwin noticed three distinctive patterns of biological diversity: 1. Species vary globally 2. species vary locally 3. species vary over time

Darwin’s Finches While on the Galapagos Islands Darwin found 13 species of finches While on the Galapagos Islands Darwin found 13 species of finches This lead to his idea of descent from a common ancestor This lead to his idea of descent from a common ancestor

– The process of change over time is called evolution. – Darwin developed a scientific theory of biological evolution that explains how modern organisms evolved over long periods of time through descent from common ancestors.

Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection Tendency towards overproduction Tendency towards overproduction Not all offspring survive Not all offspring survive Variations exist in any population Variations exist in any population Variations are inherited Variations are inherited The best organism will live longer and produce more offspring The best organism will live longer and produce more offspring Populations change as it becomes better adapted to it’s environment Populations change as it becomes better adapted to it’s environment

Origin of Species by Natural Selection Written in 1844 Written in 1844 Published in 1859 Published in 1859

Darwin continued throughout most of the rest of his life to publish his research and writings on biology. Darwin continued throughout most of the rest of his life to publish his research and writings on biology. In his later years, Darwin was plagued by fatigue and intestinal sickness, thought by some historians to have been caused by Chagas' disease, contracted during his travels in South America. In his later years, Darwin was plagued by fatigue and intestinal sickness, thought by some historians to have been caused by Chagas' disease, contracted during his travels in South America.

Charles Darwin died on April 19, 1882, and lies buried in Westminster Abbey.

Isn’t evolution just a theory? In science, a theory is a rigorously tested statement of general principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the world. A scientific theory therefore describes a higher level of understanding that ties "facts" together. A scientific theory stands until proven wrong -- it is never proven correct. The Darwinian theory of evolution has withstood the test of time and thousands of scientific experiments; nothing has disproved it since Darwin first proposed it more than 150 years ago. Indeed, many scientific advances, in a range of scientific disciplines including physics, geology, chemistry, and molecular biology, have supported, refined, and expanded evolutionary theory far beyond anything Darwin could have imagined. In science, a theory is a rigorously tested statement of general principles that explains observable and recorded aspects of the world. A scientific theory therefore describes a higher level of understanding that ties "facts" together. A scientific theory stands until proven wrong -- it is never proven correct. The Darwinian theory of evolution has withstood the test of time and thousands of scientific experiments; nothing has disproved it since Darwin first proposed it more than 150 years ago. Indeed, many scientific advances, in a range of scientific disciplines including physics, geology, chemistry, and molecular biology, have supported, refined, and expanded evolutionary theory far beyond anything Darwin could have imagined.

Influential Scientists Darwin’s Cambridge Professor Darwin’s Cambridge Professor Charles Lyell, a contemporary geologist Charles Lyell, a contemporary geologist - wrote Principles of Geology Jean Lamarck, proposed theory of evolution in 1801 Jean Lamarck, proposed theory of evolution in 1801 Alfred Wallace, made similar observations and conclusions about the process behind evolution shortly before Darwin published his book Alfred Wallace, made similar observations and conclusions about the process behind evolution shortly before Darwin published his book

Why is the theory of evolution important to the study of biology? How did Darwin influence other scientists and does he still influence scientists today?