answersLogoWhite

0

Darwin established the theory of natural selection (evolution). On the Galapagos Islands he was fairly free to walk among animals previously unexposed to humans, thus seeing him as no threat. He observed: (1) more offspring were produced than would survive based on the available resources (food, water, space), (2) the offspring varied in form and had a range of characteristics, (3) the offspring would compete for the available resources. Darwin concluded that the creatures that were best suited to a particular environment would survive long enough to reproduce and pass their characteristics to a new generation. This is evolution. "Survival of the fittest" is actually shortened from the phrase, "survival of the fittest in a particular environment". Individual creatures don't evolve. Species evolve. A species is a group of organisms capable of breeding and producing offspring. Evolution drives the creation of new species. No organism is more or less evolved than another. One organism may be more suited to survive in a particular environment.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?