Charles Darwin and Evolution

Charles Darwin and Evolution

1Early YearsNature studiesBeetle collectionCatalogued pigeon breedsDidnt complete medical schoolTrained as a minister in Church of EnglandHis father and grandfather mentioned evolutionUnpaid position naturalist HMS BeagleSurvey parts of the worldDraw biological specimens catalogue and prepare

2Beagle voyageFossil shells on cliffs different places same fossilsDifferent herbivores and carnivores different continentsLarge fossils bones of extinct animals resembled living animalsWitnessed earthquake and noticed earth movements quick environmental changes

3Beagle voyageGalapagos Islands unique animals with similarities to South AmericaEach Island Galapagos different finchesBeak shape and food source - relationship

4Darwins theoryDarwin studied specimens from the Beagle voyage and made rigorous observationsReluctant to publish findings could cause troubleAlfred Russel Wallace same ideasDarwins ideas published based on 30 years of studyNow know as the theory of evolutionNatural selection and survival of the fittest

5Evidence for evolutionPalaeontology - study of fossilsOlder fossils simpler younger more complexPalaeontology

6Geographical distributionEach continent has its own characteristic types of plants and animalsDifferent continents different animals and plants fill a similar niche

7Comparative anatomyThe study of similarities and differences in body structuresBest example limbs of vertebrates

8Comparative embryologyThe study of embryosVertebrate embryos are similar during their early development

9Genetic sourcesSimilarities and differences in the genetic code

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