1. Darwin and his Theory of Evolution

2. Darwin’s Background Born in England, 1809
Studied Medicine at Edinburgh University
Transferred to Cambridge University
Studied to be a Minister
Darwin’s Background
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ61-104].

3. Darwin’s Expedition - 1831 Hired as Naturalist on H.M.S. Beagle
Sailed on Five Year Scientific Expedition
Down East Coast of South America
Up Pacific Coast to Galapagos Islands
Made Stops on Mainland and Islands
Observed Variety of Life and Habitats
Darwin’s Expedition

4. Darwin’s Work Outlined Theory in his Book in 1859:
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
Published Other Works on Biology
Died in 1882
Darwin’s Work

5. Summary of Origin of Species
Proposed Evolution Resulting from Natural Selection:
Organisms Produce Many Offspring
Competition for Food, Territory, Mates, etc.
Those With Best Traits Survive
Organisms Change Over Many Generations
Time Frame: Millions of Years
Summary of Origin of Species

6. Darwin’s Support for His Theory
Characteristics of Organisms Coincide With Habitats
Changes Produced by Breeding of Organisms
Geologic Ages Suggested by Charles Lyell
Similarities of Various Organisms
Darwin’s Support for His Theory

7. Limitations of Darwin’s Theory
Apparent Limits to Variation
No Mechanism For Sufficiently New Characteristics
Transitional Forms Would Require Special Environments
Oversimplified View of Living Cells
The Origin of Life Unexplained
Limitations of Fossil Record
Limitations of Darwin’s Theory

8. Limitations of the Fossil Record
Sudden Appearance of Complex Life
Lack of Clear Transitional Forms
Gives More Evidence For Species Disappearance
Limitations of the Fossil Record
Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society. American Memory Collection

9. Limitations of the Fossil Record
Sudden Appearance of Complex Life
Lack of Clear Transitional Forms
Gives More Evidence For Species Disappearance
Explanation of Strata Insufficient
Limitations of the Fossil Record