SELECTION & ADAPTATION Darwin´s theory explains why
individuals are usually well adapted to their environment
ADAPTATION = an inherited trait present in a population because the trait helps individuals to survive and reproduce in a specific environment
DARWIN´S EVIDENCE FOSSILS Darwin believed evolution occurred due
to differences in the fossil record (all existing fossils)
Darwin noticed
patterns of gradual
change in the fossil
record
DARWIN´S EVIDENCE BIOGEOGRAPHY Darwin studied locations of organisms
Similar environments cause the evolution of organisms in similar ways
Similar organismsSimilar
enviornmentsDIFFERENT locations
DARWIN´S EVIDENCE DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY Common patterns and structures of
developing embryos could mean common ancestors
All vertebrate embryos have a tail at some time
during development
DARWIN´S EVIDENCE ANATOMY Many internal similarities exist in bodily
structure
The forelimbs of many vertebrates are composed of the same basic
groups of bones = HOMOLOGOUS STRUCTURES
DARWIN´S EVIDENCE BIOCHEMISTRY Change over time can be traced through
changes in DNA
Close relatives have few
differences in amino acids
Very different species have many
differences in amino acids
DARWIN´S STRENGTHS1. EVIDENCE – Darwin was the first person
to propose evolution AND give supporting evidence (others had proposed evolution but didn´t have proof)
2. MECHANISM – Darwin´s theory of natural selection gave a reason for evolution to occur
3. IMPORTANCE OF VARIATION – Darwin showed variation in species everywhere (species did not stay the same forever). This diversity is the starting point of evolution.