Lesson 12: Theory of Evolution

Question 1

What was included in Charles Darwin’s research before he proposed his theory of natural selection?

Answer 1

• Took observations on a round the world expedition.
• Backed by years of experimentation and discussion.
• Linked to developing knowledge (that other scientists had) of geology and fossils.

Question 2

What is The Theory of Evolution by natural selection?

3 MAIN points…

Answer 2

1.) Individual organisms within a particular species show a wide range of variation for a characteristic.
2.) Individuals with characteristics most suited to the environment are
more likely to survive to breed successfully.
3.) The characteristics that have enabled these individuals to survive are then passed on to the next generation.

Question 3

Where did Charles publish his idea on The Theory of Evolution by natural selection?

Answer 3

• Published ideas in book called: On the Origin of Species (written in 1859.)

Question 4

When was Charles Darwin’s “On the origin of species” published?

Answer 4

• 1859.

Question 5

Why was The Theory of Evolution by natural selection only GRADUALLY accepted?

Answer 5

• The theory challenged the idea that God made all the animals and
  plants that live on Earth.
• There was insufficient evidence at the time the theory was published
  to convince many scientists
• The mechanism of inheritance and variation was not known until
  50 years after the theory was published.

Question 6

What was Jean- Baptiste Lamark’s theory based on? What do we know about this theory now?

Answer 6

• Based mainly on the idea that changes that occur to an organism in the organism’s lifetime can be inherited (by other organisms ie. their offspring.)
• We now know that in the vast majority of cases, this type of inheritence cannot occur.