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.