biodiversity and evolution

• Evolution- refers to the change of characteristics of an organism over time
• Charles Darwin- Father of evolution, wrote “The Origin of Species” after his discoveries at Galapagos Island
• Both Lamarck and Darwin agreed that organisms change over time
• Natural Selection

  There is a struggle for existence and competition

  • Organisms who are stronger or “fitter” survive as opposed to weaker species; “Survival of the fittest”
• Natural Selection- Organisms that struggle for existence and are fit to survive will continue to reproduce 
• Acquired Traits 

  • Modified traits of organisms can be passed on from one generation to another
• Use and Disuse

  • Organisms modify their body parts by using them often until they develop and unused body parts will waste away or disappear
• Need

  • Organisms change in response to their environment. 
  • Results in acquiring features that they previously do not have to to help adapt to their changing environment
• Jean Baptiste Lamarck- Presented the theory of Acquired traits, use and disuse, and need
• Charles Darwin- Presented the theory of natural selection
• Charles Darwin 's Theory on Evolution Using the Giraffe tells us to look at the variation in the population of giraffes.
• Charles Darwin 's Theory on Evolution Using the Giraffe states that different types of giraffes with short, medium and long necks compete to survive
• Charles Darwin 's Theory on Evolution Using the Giraffe also states that those with favorable traits (i.e. giraffes with long necks) is the fittest to survive and can reproduce and pass on these traits, while those with unfavourable traits were unable to survive
• Jean Baptiste Lamarck ’s Theory on Evolution Using the Giraffe state that Giraffes originally had short necks
• Jean Baptiste Lamarck ’s Theory on Evolution Using the Giraffe state that Giraffes reached for the leaves in trees by continuously extending their necks until they become long
• Jean Baptiste Lamarck ’s Theory on Evolution state that these modified traits of giraffes (i.e. long necks) are passed on to their offspring