The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

The video explores the historical puzzle of species origin, highlighting Charles Darwin's pivotal role in developing the theory of evolution. Darwin's five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle led to his observations of finches on the Galapagos Islands, which varied in beak size and shape based on diet. He deduced that species adapt to their environment through natural selection, where beneficial traits are passed down generations. Darwin's theory, published in 'On the Origin of Species', posits that all life shares a common ancestor. The video concludes by emphasizing evolution as a process of change driven by genetic mutations.

What was the primary purpose of Charles Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle?

• To find treasure

• To discover new continents

• To conduct plant, animal, and geological surveys

• To establish trade routes

What did Darwin and John Gould notice about the finches from the Galapagos Islands?

• They could not fly

• They all had the same beak size

• They varied in beak size and shape based on diet

• They were all extinct

According to Darwin, what determines which members of a species survive and reproduce?

• The amount of food they consume

• Their ability to adapt to their habitat

• The environment directly changes them

• Their size and strength

What is the significance of genetic mutations in Darwin's theory of evolution?

• They are the main cause of extinction

• They allow organisms to better exploit their environment

• They are always harmful

• They have no impact on evolution

What does the theory of natural selection suggest about the origin of all life on Earth?

• Life originated from multiple ancestors

• All life came from a common ancestor

• Life has always existed in its current form

• Life was created by external forces