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Questions and Answers
What might have transported the first finches from South America to the island?
What might have transported the first finches from South America to the island?
What do farmers and breeders use to produce desired traits in plants and animals?
What do farmers and breeders use to produce desired traits in plants and animals?
What is the main concern expressed by Thomas Malthus in his book?
What is the main concern expressed by Thomas Malthus in his book?
What is the term for specific characteristics that can be passed from parents to offspring through genes?
What is the term for specific characteristics that can be passed from parents to offspring through genes?
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What did Darwin do before sharing his ideas about finches?
What did Darwin do before sharing his ideas about finches?
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What is the result of selective breeding in organisms?
What is the result of selective breeding in organisms?
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What motivated Darwin to present his ideas about evolution?
What motivated Darwin to present his ideas about evolution?
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What did Darwin lack evidence for in his theory of evolution?
What did Darwin lack evidence for in his theory of evolution?
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What is the process called when only organisms that carry certain genes can survive to reproduce?
What is the process called when only organisms that carry certain genes can survive to reproduce?
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What did Charles Lyell's book, Principles of Geology, present evidence for?
What did Charles Lyell's book, Principles of Geology, present evidence for?
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What is the title of the book in which Darwin proposed his theory of evolution?
What is the title of the book in which Darwin proposed his theory of evolution?
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According to Darwin's theory, what is the result of individuals within a population competing with each other for limited resources?
According to Darwin's theory, what is the result of individuals within a population competing with each other for limited resources?
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Study Notes
Darwin's Finches and the Galapagos Islands
- Darwin hypothesized that the island finches were descended from South American finches, possibly blown to the island by a storm.
- Over many generations, the finches adapted to different ways of life on the islands.
Selective Breeding and Traits
- Farmers and breeders had produced many kinds of farm animals and plants with desired traits through selective breeding.
- Traits are specific characteristics that can be passed from parents to offspring through genes.
- Examples of selective breeding include breeding fast and strong horses, and crops that produce large fruit or grow in specific climates.
Malthus and Population Growth
- Thomas Malthus wrote about the principle of population, noting that human populations are limited by choices, starvation, and disease.
- Malthus warned that food supplies could not support unlimited population growth.
Darwin's Realization
- Darwin realized that any species can produce many offspring, but only a limited number survive to reproduce.
- He reasoned that the offspring of the survivors inherit traits that help them survive in their environment.
Influence of Geology on Darwin's Theory
- Darwin learned from Charles Lyell's book, Principles of Geology, that Earth was formed by natural processes over a long period of time.
- This knowledge made it clear to Darwin that Earth was much older than previously thought.
Writing of On the Origin of Species
- Darwin privately struggled with his ideas for about 20 years before publishing his book.
- He received a letter from Alfred Russel Wallace, who had similar ideas about evolution, which motivated Darwin to present his theories.
- In 1859, Darwin published On the Origin of Species, proposing the theory of evolution through natural selection.
Natural Selection Theory
- Darwin's theory of natural selection has four parts:
- Each species produces more offspring than will survive to reproduce.
- Individuals within a population have slightly different traits.
- Individuals within populations compete with each other for limited resources.
- Individuals better equipped to live in an environment are more likely to survive to reproduce.
Limitations and Future Discoveries
- Darwin lacked evidence for parts of his theory, such as how organisms inherit traits and how variation occurs.
- Today, scientists have found evidence to support Darwin's theory, including the discovery of genes and how they vary.
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Description
This quiz is about Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection, specifically how finches on the Galapagos Islands adapted to their environment.
