1. 16.2 Applying Darwin’s Ideas
I. Evolution by Natural Selection
A. Individuals with better traits are more likely survive
B. Natural selection = survival of the fittest
C. Darwin’s theory predicts that over time the number of better suited individuals will increase

2. D. Steps of Darwin’s Theory
1. Overproduction
2. Variation
3. Selection
4. Adaptation

3. E. Selection & Adaptation
1. An adaptation is an inherited trait that helps individuals survive & reproduce
2. each species becomes adapted to its environment due to living in it
F. Publication of the theory
1. Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
II. What Darwin Explained
A. Living species evolved from organisms that lived in the past.

4. B. Fossil
1. Traces of organisms that lived in the past
C. Darwin predicted intermediate forms between groups of species
D. Conditions that create fossils are so rare the fossil record will never be complete
E. Biogeography
1. The study of the locations of organisms around the world

5. 2. Sometimes geography separates populations
a. Over time the two groups may evolve into different species
F. Developmental Biology
1. Embryology
a. the study of ways that multicellular organisms develop from embryos
2. Scientists compare embryonic development of species to look for similar patterns & structures
a. Shows they have a common ancestor

7. G. Anatomy
1. The study of bodily structure
2. Internal similarities show evidence of relation
a. ex- bone structure
3. homologous structures
a. similar structure in two or more species showing a common ancestor
H. Biochemistry
1. Comparing DNA or amino acids between species shows relation

9. 2. Organisms that have fewer differences are more closely related
III. Evaluating Darwin’s Ideas
A. Strengths
1. evidence of evolution
a. gathered so much data
2. mechanism for evolution
a. presented a logical & testable mechanism for process of evolution
3. recognition that variation is important
a. serves as the start of evolution

10. B. Weaknesses
1. Darwin knew very little about genetics
2. Mendel’s ideas that supported his work were not widely published until 1900.