Evolution Notes

Charles Darwin

In 1831, Charles Darwin set sail from _________________ aboard the H.M.S. Beagle on a
voyage ___________________ the _________________.

Darwin collected numerous ______________ and animal specimens for his collection.

He _________________ the specimens, ____________ the latest scientific publications, and

__________________________ his observations/thoughts in ________________________.

Darwin observed that the Galpagos Islands were in close ___________________, but had very
different ___________________ and corresponding differences in vegetation.

Accordingly, he observed that the characteristics of many animals and plants _____________
__________________ among the different islands.

Contributions to Science

Darwins evidence led him to propose a revolutionary _____________________ pertaining to

the way life changes over ____________.

This hypothesis has become the ______________ of ____________________. It was presented in

his book, On the _______________ of Species, published in ____________.

Key Idea #1 - Variation Within Species

Members within a species _____________ from one another in _________________ ways.

At the time, variations were thought to be unimportant, minor ________________.

Darwin argued that this variation is ____________________.

Key Idea #2 - The Struggle For Existence

Darwin realized that high ________________ rates and a shortage of life's _______________
resources (food, water, and shelter) inevitably force organisms to ___________________ for
resources.

_______________________, both within and among species, exists in almost all natural
environments.

This struggle is ultimately reflected by ______________________ success

Key Idea #3 - The Inheritance of Traits

Characteristics exhibited by one ____________________, whether beneficial or

__________________, are passed down from one generation to the next (assuming that
organism is able to reproduce).

Modern Genetics presents a mechanism for heredity.

Darwins Influences:
Thomas Mathus

Mathus An Essay on the Principle of Population emphasized that population

_______________ will always overwhelm growth in ______________, creating inevitable states of
______________, disease, and _______________________.

This perpetual struggle for survival caught Darwins attention, and he applied it to
______________.

Darwin argued that some of the competitors in Malthus' perpetual struggle scenario would
be better equipped to survive. Those that were ________ _________ would die out, leaving
only those with the more __________________ traits.

Charles Lyell

The worlds most renowned ___________________ of the day and author of author of
Principles of Geology, prompted Darwin to think of evolution as a ____________ process in
which _____________ changes gradually accumulate over immense spans of time

Jean-Babtiste Lamark

Lamarck's proposed the first truly cohesive theory of evolution, in which all organisms had
an innate tendency toward _________________________.

He correctly argued that species _____________________ over time, and that environmental
forces ______________________ them to local environments.

Lamarck is widely remembered for his inaccurate theory of inheritance of acquired

characteristics in which the use and disuse of physiologic features differentiated organisms
over time.

Survival of the Fittest

The _______________ of an organism to _________________ and ___________________ in its

specific environment is fitness.

Darwin proposed that fitness is the result of _________________________.

An adaptation is any __________________ characteristic that ___________________ an

organism's chance of _____________________.

______________________ adaptations better suit organisms to their environment, and in turn,

theyre ______________ ____________ to survive and reproduce.

Individuals with characteristics that are not well suited to their environment either
_________ or leave few ___________________.

Natural Selection

Natural selection ______________ organisms that display different structures, establish

different niches, and/or occupy different habitats.

Every living species has ____________________, with changes, from other species over
___________.

Darwin referred to this principle as descent with ____________________.

Darwin wondered if animals living on different islands had once been members of the
_______ species.

These separate species would have evolved from an original South American ancestor
species.

His observations of ________________, tortoises, iguanas, and other _______________

supported his _______________________.

3 Key Misconceptions about Darwins Theory

1. Survival of the fittest means only the strongest and fastest survive
Why is this false?

2. Natural selection is random

Why is this false?
3. Organisms can evolve over their lifetimes
Why is this false?

Evolution Notes
Charles Darwin

In 1831, Charles Darwin set sail from England aboard the H.M.S. Beagle on a voyage
around the world.
Darwin collected numerous plant and animal specimens for his collection.
He studied the specimens, read the latest scientific publications, and recorded his
observations/thoughts in notebooks.
Darwin observed that the Galpagos Islands were in close proximity, but had very different
climates and corresponding differences in vegetation.
Accordingly, he observed that the characteristics of many animals and plants varied
noticeably among the different islands.

Contributions to Science

Darwins evidence led him to propose a revolutionary hypothesis pertaining to the way life
changes over time.
This hypothesis has become the theory of evolution. It was presented in his book, On the
Origin of Species, published in 1859.

Key Idea #1 - Variation Within Species

Members within a species vary from one another in important ways.

At the time, variations were thought to be unimportant, minor defects.
Darwin argued that this variation is significant.

Key Idea #2 - The Struggle For Existence

Darwin realized that high birth rates and a shortage of life's basic resources (food, water,
and shelter) inevitably force organisms to compete for resources.
Competition, both within and among species exists in almost all natural environments.
This struggle is ultimately reflected by reproductive success

Key Idea #3 - The Inheritance of Traits

Characteristics exhibited by one parent, whether beneficial or harmful, are passed down
from one generation to the next (assuming that organism is able to reproduce).
Modern Genetics presents a mechanism for heredity.

Darwins Influences:
Thomas Mathus

Mathus An Essay on the Principle of Population emphasized that population growth will
always overwhelm growth in food, creating inevitable states of hunger, disease, and
competition.
This perpetual struggle for survival caught Darwins attention, and he applied it to biology.
Darwin argued that some of the competitors in Malthus' perpetual struggle scenario would
be better equipped to survive. Those that were less able would die out, leaving only those
with the more desirable traits.

Charles Lyell

The worlds most renowned geologist of the day and author of author of Principles of
Geology, prompted Darwin to think of evolution as a slow process in which small changes
gradually accumulate over immense spans of time

Jean-Babtiste Lamark

Lamarck's proposed the first truly cohesive theory of evolution, in which all organisms had
an innate tendency toward perfection.
He correctly argued that species change over time, and that environmental forces adapted
them to local environments.
Lamarck is widely remembered for his inaccurate theory of inheritance of acquired
characteristics in which the use and disuse of physiologic features differentiated organisms
over time.

Survival of the Fittest

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its specific environment is fitness.
Darwin proposed that fitness is the result of adaptations.
An adaptation is any inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of
survival.
Beneficial adaptations better suit organisms to their environment, and in turn, theyre
better able to survive and reproduce.
Individuals with characteristics that are not well suited to their environment either die or
leave few offspring.

Natural Selection

Natural selection yields organisms that display different structures, establish different
niches, and/or occupy different habitats.
Every living species has descended, with changes, from other species over time.
Darwin referred to this principle as descent with modification.
Darwin wondered if animals living on different islands had once been members of the same
species.
These separate species would have evolved from an original South American ancestor
species.
His observations of finches, tortoises, iguanas, and other animals supported his hypothesis.

3 Key Misconceptions about Darwins Theory

1. Survival of the fittest means only the strongest and fastest survive

Why is this false?

2. Natural selection is random
Why is this false?
3. Organisms can evolve over their lifetimes
Why is this false?