The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

The video explores the historical puzzle of species origin, highlighting Charles Darwin's pivotal role in developing the theory of evolution. Darwin's five-year voyage on the HMS Beagle led to his observations of finches on the Galapagos Islands, which varied in beak size and shape based on diet. He deduced that species adapt to their environment through natural selection, where beneficial traits are passed down generations. Darwin's theory, published in 'On the Origin of Species', posits that all life shares a common ancestor. The video concludes by emphasizing evolution as a process of change driven by genetic mutations.

Explain the concept of natural selection as described by Darwin.

What is the relationship between common ancestors and the evolution of species?