6.3.1 Theory of Evolution

Charles Darwin

• Charles Darwin was a pioneering scientist and naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution.
• His ideas were based on extensive experimentation, observations during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, and his studies of geology and fossils.
• He published his groundbreaking work, "On the Origin of Species," in 1859, which introduced the concept of natural selection.

Theory of Evolution

• Variation within species arises from mutations in DNA, leading to differences in traits among individuals.

• Natural Selection (often referred to as "survival of the fittest"): Organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on these advantageous traits to their offspring.

  

• Over many generations, the frequency of alleles (versions of a gene) that confer these beneficial traits increases in the population, leading to evolutionary change.

Controversy Surrounding Darwin's Ideas

Darwin's theory was met with significant resistance due to several factors:

1. Religious Beliefs: His theory challenged the widely held belief that God created all species as they are.
2. Lack of Evidence: At the time, there was limited evidence and understanding of how species changed over time.
3. Unknown Mechanisms: The concepts of genetic inheritance and variation were not understood during Darwin's era.

Alternative Theories: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

• Lamarck's Hypothesis: Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime could be passed on to its offspring. He believed that repeated actions could enhance certain characteristics, which would then be inherited.

• Refutation: Lamarck's theory was eventually disproven when it was understood that only genetic information in sex cells (not traits acquired during an organism's life) is passed on to the next generation.

Supporting Evidence for Darwin's Theory

• Genetics: The discovery of genetics provided a mechanism for how beneficial traits, caused by mutations, could be inherited.
• Fossil Record: Fossil evidence supported Darwin's theory by showing gradual changes in species over time, illustrating the process of evolution.