Charles Darwin was a curious naturalist. During his journey on the HMS Beagle, he made some important observations that changed how we see life on Earth. Here’s how his findings helped him develop the idea of natural selection:
Darwin noticed that members of the same species often looked different.
For example, he studied finches in the Galápagos Islands.
He saw that some birds had longer beaks while others had shorter beaks.
These differences helped them find food in different ways.
Darwin realized that things like food, water, and shelter are not always easy to get.
This means that animals and plants have to compete for these resources.
He called this the "struggle for existence."
Darwin found that the individuals with traits that suited their environment were more likely to survive and have babies.
For example, finches with longer beaks might be better at reaching food in certain plants.
This gave them an advantage and helped them do well.
As time went on, the useful traits became more common in the group of animals or plants.
This gradual change is what Darwin called "descent with modification."
Darwin's discoveries about differences in traits, competition, and helpful characteristics led to his important idea of natural selection.
This idea explains how species change and adapt over generations.
His theories help us understand the variety of life on Earth and how living things evolve in response to their changing surroundings.
Charles Darwin was a curious naturalist. During his journey on the HMS Beagle, he made some important observations that changed how we see life on Earth. Here’s how his findings helped him develop the idea of natural selection:
Darwin noticed that members of the same species often looked different.
For example, he studied finches in the Galápagos Islands.
He saw that some birds had longer beaks while others had shorter beaks.
These differences helped them find food in different ways.
Darwin realized that things like food, water, and shelter are not always easy to get.
This means that animals and plants have to compete for these resources.
He called this the "struggle for existence."
Darwin found that the individuals with traits that suited their environment were more likely to survive and have babies.
For example, finches with longer beaks might be better at reaching food in certain plants.
This gave them an advantage and helped them do well.
As time went on, the useful traits became more common in the group of animals or plants.
This gradual change is what Darwin called "descent with modification."
Darwin's discoveries about differences in traits, competition, and helpful characteristics led to his important idea of natural selection.
This idea explains how species change and adapt over generations.
His theories help us understand the variety of life on Earth and how living things evolve in response to their changing surroundings.