Charles Darwin

Definition

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist best known for developing the theory of evolution through natural selection, which posits that species evolve over time due to changes in heritable traits. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology, connecting various disciplines such as genetics, paleontology, and ecology to explain how organisms adapt to their environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Darwin's seminal work, 'On the Origin of Species,' published in 1859, presented extensive evidence for evolution and natural selection.
2. He embarked on a five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, during which he collected data and observations that led to his theories.
3. Darwin proposed that all living organisms share a common ancestor, which was a revolutionary idea at the time.
4. His ideas challenged traditional views of creation and sparked debates about science and religion that continue today.
5. Darwin's theory has been supported by numerous scientific discoveries since his time, including genetics, which provides a mechanism for inheritance.

Review Questions

• How did Darwin's observations during his voyage on the HMS Beagle contribute to his development of the theory of evolution?
  • Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle provided him with critical insights into the diversity of life and how species adapted to their environments. Observations of various species in the Galápagos Islands, such as finches with different beak shapes suited for specific food sources, illustrated the concept of adaptation. These experiences helped him formulate his ideas about natural selection and descent with modification, forming the backbone of his theory of evolution.
• Evaluate how Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection influenced scientific thought and societal views during the late 19th century.
  • Darwin's theory fundamentally altered scientific thought by introducing a naturalistic explanation for the diversity of life, challenging long-held beliefs based on creationism. It opened up new fields of study such as genetics and ecology while influencing societal views on humanity's place in nature. His ideas led to intense debates between science and religion, ultimately reshaping perspectives on biology and our understanding of human origins.
• Synthesize Darwin's contributions to evolutionary biology with contemporary understandings of genetics to explain how they complement each other.
  • Darwin's contributions laid the groundwork for evolutionary biology by introducing natural selection as a mechanism for evolution. Modern genetics has expanded upon his ideas by providing insights into how traits are inherited and modified over generations. This synthesis reveals that while Darwin explained the 'how' of evolution through adaptation to environmental pressures, genetics clarifies the 'mechanism' by which these traits are passed down and changed, creating a more comprehensive understanding of biological evolution.

Related terms

Natural Selection: The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, driving evolutionary change.

Survival of the Fittest: A phrase often associated with Darwin's theory, emphasizing that individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Descent with Modification: Darwin's concept that species evolve over time, with new species arising from common ancestors through gradual changes.