Charles Darwin and Natural Selection

Observe 1

If left unchecked, there will be a rapid growth in the number of individuals in a population.

Observe 2

In nature, things tend to remain in size

Observe 3

Environmental resources are limited

Natural selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Evolution

Progressive change in an organism over time through various mechanisms.

On Origin of Species

A foundational book published by Charles Darwin detailing the theory of evolution.

Homologous structure

An anatomical feature in different species that share a common structure, though they may serve different functions.

Vestigial structure

A remnant of a structure that served a purpose in an organism's ancestors but is no longer functional.

DNA similarities

An accurate measure of how closely related different species are based on genetic information.

Convergent evolution

The process where two different species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

Adaptive radiation

The evolution of a single ancestor species into many different forms that adapt to various environments.

Artificial selection

The intentional breeding of organisms to produce desired traits in future generations.

Biogeography

The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Divergent evolution

When two similar species evolve differently, often due to geographic isolation.

Analogous structure

Structures in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common structure.

Embryonic similarities

The presence of similar developmental stages in embryos of different species, indicating common ancestry.

Eugenics

A controversial application of evolutionary concepts to human populations, focusing on selective breeding.

Observe 4

Individuals of a population are not exactly alike

Observe 5

Much variations are inherited

Inference 1

Struggle for existence (competing)

Inference 2

Struggle for existance (survival of fittest)

Inference 3

Natural selectionj