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As Charles Darwin visited different continents and studied various populations of animals (such as the wild finch populations in the Galapagos) he noticed the trend changes between various traits in populations. He also noticed that there were environmental factors such as competition for resources or mates, changing environment that meant that some individuals within a population did not get the chance to mate. He called this "Survival of the Fittest" or natural Selection. In natural selection, the animal who does the best is considered to be the most fit. This organism then gets to procreate and make babies (the name of the game in nature). If it successfully has offspring, that organism gets to pass on its traits.
In his twenties good ol' Chuck got to tour the world in the HMS Beagle! Check out the map to see where Darwin had his adventures in the 1800's! (Click the picture to enlarge the map)
Watch the video below for a quick (short) explenation of Natural Selection
Key Vocabulary
- Common Decent
Natural Selection =
"Survival of the Fittest"
For natural Selection occur there must be:
1) An environmental change (conditions, food source change)
2) Competition (The strong, or "fit" survive)
3) Variable Traits (Different traits as a result of mutations)
Click the picture below for trivia game!
Family Matters: Darwin's Finches
Think you have what it takes to be the "fittest"?
OK WISEGUY! Find out by clicking the picture below to play
"WHO WANTS TO LIVE A MILLION YEARS" game!
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