people

Question 1

LeClerc

Answer 1

First person to challenge the idea that life forms are unchanging.
Noted similarities between humans and apes and speculated they must have a common ancestor.

Question 2

Curvier

Answer 2

Developing science of paleontology (study of ancient life throughout fossils)
Found each layer of rock had a different group of fossils/species the deeper the layer the less alike they were to modern life.
Found species can become extinct.
Cuvier believed that species remain unchanged overtime he explained his finding with the theory of catastrophism.

Question 3

Lyell

Answer 3

Rejected catastrophism and proposed idea of uniformitarianism.
Decided that the earth couldn’t handle dramatic change but went through a slow process of change.

Question 4

Weismann

Answer 4

Tested cutting of mice tails for generations to see new generation was born with tails
Only material in a sperm and egg can pass down to generations
Proof of acquired characteristics are not inherited

Question 5

Lamarck

Answer 5

Recognized for species to survive, they must adapt to changing environments
Came up with line of descent
Assume that organisms become better adapted to their environments and body parts used most often become stronger. Then this trait is passed on to their offspring. He called this inheritance of acquired traits

Question 6

Darwin

Answer 6

Developed theory of evolution by natural selection
Populations change over time and individuals with traits that help them survive are more likely to survive. This is called the Survival of the Fittest
Organisms produce more offspring than can survive. So organisms compete for limited resources
Individuals that are better suited to local conditions survive to produce more offspring