B5.2.3 Theory of Evolution

Question 1

Charles Lyell

Answer 1

Wrote book ‘Primciples of Geology’ read by Darwin

Suggested fossils were evidence of animals that lived millions of years ago

Question 2

What did people believe before Darwin?

Answer 2

Most British people thought all species on Earth were created by God

Question 3

Darwin travels…

Answer 3

Scientific expedition to Galapagos Isalands on HMS Beagle
Observations on finches; closely related but different shapes and sizes of beaks and claws —> linked to food on each island —> natural selection

Question 4

Russel Wallace

Answer 4

At same time Darwin was working on his theory Wallace sent his own ideas similar to Darwin’s of natural selection and evolution
Both proposed theory of evolution to Linnaean Society of London 1858

Question 5

Darwin’s book

Answer 5

1859 ‘Origin of Species’, presenting Darwin’s ideas to
non-scientists
Hugely successful and v controversial