The Theory of Evolution and natural selection

Theory

Scientific explanation for natural processes.

Theory of Evolution

Species change over time via natural selection.

Charles Darwin

Naturalist who proposed evolution theory.

H.M.S. Beagle

Ship used by Darwin for his voyage.

Voyage Duration

Darwin's journey lasted from 1831 to 1836.

Natural Selection

Process where organisms better adapted survive.

Fossils

Remains of ancient organisms

Rheas

Flightless birds resembling ostriches

Emus

Large flightless birds found in Australia.

Glyptodonts

Extinct armadillo-like creatures resembling modern armadillos.

Galapagos Islands

Location where Darwin observed unique species.

Endemic Species

Species found only in a specific location.

Descent with Modification

Process of change in species over time.

Beak Variation

Different finch beaks adapted for various diets.

Insect Eaters

Finches with grasping beaks for catching insects.

Seed Eaters

Finches with crushing beaks for eating seeds.

Cactus Eaters

Finches with probing beaks for cactus feeding.

Fruit Eaters

Finches with parrot-like beaks for fruit consumption.

Adaptation

Changes in species to better fit environments.

Species Variation

Differences among species in different locations.

Darwin's Observations

Notebooks filled with species characteristics and habitats.

Gradual Change

Slow evolutionary process observed by Darwin.

Migration of Ancestors

Species moved and adapted to new environments.

Geologists

Scientists studying Earth's structure and history.

Naturalists

Researchers examining organism-environment connections.

James Hutton

Geologist who proposed Earth's age and processes.

Charles Lyell

Geologist who published 'Principles of Geology' in 1830.

Principles of Geology

Lyell's work on Earth's gradual changes.

Geological processes

Natural events shaping Earth's features over time.

Earth's age

Estimated at 4.5 billion years old.

Darwin's observations

Noted geological changes during his voyage.

Jean Baptiste Lamarck

Early theorist of species change over time.

Acquired characteristics

Traits altered during an organism's life.

Alfred Russel Wallace

Co-discoverer of natural selection with Darwin.

Population Growth

Increase in population leading to resource competition.

Thomas Malthus

Economist who studied population dynamics and limitations.

Artificial selection

Humans select desirable traits in organisms.

Overcrowding

Condition where population exceeds resource availability.

Species change

Concept that species evolve over time.

Erosion

Natural process of rock wearing away.

Famine

Severe shortage of food affecting population.

Disease

Illness affecting health and population numbers.

Variation

Differences among individuals in a population.

Survival of the fittest

Concept that only the best-adapted survive.

Rock Pigeon

A common species of pigeon found worldwide.

Nun Pigeon

A type of pigeon known for its distinct appearance.

Darwin's mechanism for evolution

Survival of individuals adapted to their environment.

Wallace's mechanism for evolution

Similar observations on adaptation as Darwin.

On The Origin Of Species

Darwin's 1858 book on evolution theory.

Random mutations

Genetic changes occurring in all species.

Adaptation

Heritable traits enhancing survival and reproduction.

Fitness

An organism's ability to survive and reproduce.

Natural Selection

Survival of individuals with advantageous traits.

Overproduction of offspring

Tendency for species to produce more offspring than survive.

Genetic variations

Inherited differences within a population.

Struggle for existence

Competition for resources among individuals in nature.

High fitness

Adaptations well-suited to the environment.

Low fitness

Traits poorly suited to the environment.

Frilled lizard defense mechanism

Behavior to deter predators using frills.

Mimicry

Adaptation where one species resembles another.

Viceroy Butterfly

Mimics the toxic Monarch Butterfly for protection.

Monarch Butterfly

A toxic butterfly known for its bright colors.

Poison Frog Mimicry

Non-toxic frogs resembling toxic species for safety.

Walking sticks

Insects camouflaged as twigs to evade predators.

Allelic frequencies

Proportion of different alleles in a population.

Modern Theory of Evolution

Integration of Mendel's genetics with Darwin's evolution.

Common ancestor

Theoretical origin of all living organisms.

Fossil record

Historical evidence of species evolution through fossils.

Paleontology

Study of fossils and ancient life forms.

Fossil Records

Actual records of Earth's past life forms.

Fossil Formation Odds

Very low probability for organisms to fossilize.

Vestigial Structures

Leftover anatomical features from ancestors.

Homologous Structures

Similar structures adapted for different functions.

Divergent Evolution

Evolution from a common ancestor into different forms.

Natural Selection

Process where variations lead to survival advantages.

Analogous Structures

Different structures serving similar functions.

Convergent Evolution

Independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated species.

Embryonic Development Evidence

Supports common ancestry through developmental similarities.

Genetic Evidence

DNA and RNA comparisons indicate species relationships.

Cytochrome c

Protein used to compare genetic similarity between species.

Hemoglobin Comparison

Differences in hemoglobin indicate evolutionary relationships.

Natural Selection in Action

Observable changes in rapidly reproducing species.

Galápagos Finches

Example of natural selection observed in real-time.

Beak Adaptation

Darwin's hypothesis on finches adapting to food sources.

Peter and Rosemary Grant

Researchers who studied finch evolution in the Galápagos.

Beak Size Variation

Heritable traits affecting fitness in bird populations.

Antibiotic Resistance

Bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics over time.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacteria causing TB

Lake Victoria Species

Different species formed through natural selection processes.

Grotto Salamander

Example of vestigial eye structures in cave dwellers.

Armadillo and Aardvark

Examples of convergent evolution in ant-eating mammals.