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Darwin's Natural Selection Explained

This document summarizes Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection as presented in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. It explains that Darwin observed variations among individuals that could provide advantages, like sharper claws or camouflage, and if beneficial and heritable, would be passed on to offspring, resulting in adaptations over generations through the mechanism of natural selection. Organisms with adaptations suited to their environment would have greater fitness by being able to survive and reproduce, perpetuating these adaptations in the population. Over long periods of time, this process could lead to the principle of common descent, where all species descended from ancient common ancestors through the development of new, advantageous adaptations.

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145 views7 pages

Darwin's Natural Selection Explained

This document summarizes Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection as presented in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. It explains that Darwin observed variations among individuals that could provide advantages, like sharper claws or camouflage, and if beneficial and heritable, would be passed on to offspring, resulting in adaptations over generations through the mechanism of natural selection. Organisms with adaptations suited to their environment would have greater fitness by being able to survive and reproduce, perpetuating these adaptations in the population. Over long periods of time, this process could lead to the principle of common descent, where all species descended from ancient common ancestors through the development of new, advantageous adaptations.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Darwin Presents His Case

Section 16.3
Learning Targets
 Describe the conditions under which natural selection
occurs.

 Explain the principle of common descent.


Evolution By Natural Selection
 On The Origin Of The Species
 Darwin’s work published in 1858, nearly 20
years after returning from his journey on the
HMS Beagle

 This book, explained the process of natural


selection
 Natural Selection is the mechanism (aka
process) that allows evolution to occur.
 Darwin knew that individuals had variation among them
 Sharper claws, or faster running animals  more
successful at catching prey
 Better camouflage  blend in better with surrounds
to avoid capture.

 This variation (sometimes caused by a


mutation), if beneficial AND heritable will be
passed along to offspring.
 This is an adaptation
 Adaptations can include physical features, processes or
behaviors
 Darwin knew that adaptations of an
individual will affect it’s overall “fitness”
 Fitness describes how well an organism can
survive and reproduce in its
environment.
 Ex: A polar bear is more “fit” for the arctic than the
equator

 The phrase “survival of the fittest” describes


more than just staying alive
 Survival, in terms of evolution refers to
reproducing and passing adaptations to
the next generation.
Natural Selection
 Natural Selection  the process by which
organisms with variations most suited to their
environment survive and leave more offspring
 Natural selection factors in…
 The struggle for existence
 Variation
 Adaptation
 Survival of the fittest

 Natural selection does not make an organism perfect


 Just good enough to survive and pass its genes on
Common Descent
 The principle of common descent states that all
species, living and extinct, are descended from ancient
common ancestors.
 Darwin argued that over long periods of time, organisms
developed modifications best suited to different
environments
 As time progressed, new species developed additional
adaptations that continued to be passed on, thus leading to
the development of more new species.

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