Summary
Works Cited
- https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-least-ten-significant-observations-darwin-561689
- http://www.projectbritain.com/calendar/February/Darwin.html
- http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/scientists/charlesdarwin.html
Species of animals in nature are different from one another. Organisms in nature always produce more offspring than the environment can sustain and not many survive. This results in the ones who don't survive to not reproduce. More organisms produce than can survive, and this causes species to struggle for resources. Each organism is unique, each has advantages and disadvantages in the fight to survive. Species that are living today descended from other species that lived in the past.
Images of Finches
In Darwin's Journal
Charles Darwin and
The Theory of Evolution
Survival By Natural Selection
Throughout time, natural selection results in changes in characteristics of a population. These changes increase a species ability to survive in its environment.
Other Observations
- Darwin also observed that traits can be passed on from parent to offspring.
- Also noted that these populations produce more offspring than an environment can handle.
- He observed that the lack of resources causes competition within the population and not many animals survive.
- Darwin observed that the offspring that have traits most helpful for the environment are the ones that survive
Who is Charles Darwin?
Darwin's Observations On The Galapagos Islands
- Charles Darwin was a naturalist who described the process of evolution
- In 1831, Darwin set sail to South America as a member of a science expedition
- In South America, Darwin found fossils of extinct animals that were similar to the species living in that land. In the Galapagos Islands Darwin noticed how the same species of birds had developed in different ways.
- This and other discoveries led him to his theory of evolution. This theory is called the theory of "Evolution by Natural Selection."
- This theory is the base for all modern ideas on how different species have become to be the way they are now and how they will change in the future.
While Darwin was on the Galapagos Islands, here were some of the observations he noted about Finches living on the island:
- Darwin observed that there were 13 different species of the finches that lived on the islands.
- The main difference between the finches on each island was the shape of the finch's beak.
- He also detected that the finches on each island had beak shapes that were used to eat the food that was available on that island.
Dates of Departure: February 12, 1831
Captain: Charles Darwin
Ship Name: H.M.S. Beagle
Destination: South America