Unveiling the Theory of Evolution

Upon returning to England in 1836, Darwin analyzed his notes and collections from his voyage, discussing geological changes with Charles Lyell. He collaborated with ornithologist John Gould, who identified 13 finch species from the Galapagos, suggesting they descended from a single South American species. This led Darwin to develop the theory of natural selection over 20 years. In 1858, he collaborated with Alfred Wallace, who had similar ideas on evolution. They presented their findings together, and in 1859, Darwin published 'The Origin of Species,' revolutionizing biology. Evolution is defined as a change in species over time.

What did John Gould help Darwin with upon his return to England?

• Conducting experiments on plant life

• Identifying geological formations

• Classifying bird specimens from the Galapagos

• Writing scientific papers

What conclusion did Darwin draw from the resemblance of Galapagos finches to South American birds?

• They were a new species unique to the Galapagos

• They descended from a single species from South America

• They were unrelated to any known species

• They were brought to the islands by humans

What was the main focus of Darwin's work over the 20 years following his voyage?

• Developing the theory of natural selection

• Exploring new continents

• Studying marine life

• Writing travel journals

How did Darwin and Wallace handle their similar ideas on evolution?

• They debated publicly

• They published separate books

• They presented their ideas together

• They ignored each other's work

What was the impact of Darwin's 'The Origin of Species' on the field of biology?

• It was largely ignored

• It focused solely on plant evolution

• It laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology

• It was criticized and rejected