Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution centres on the idea that species

compete to survive, and favorable characteristics are passed on

from one generation to the next.

Darwin said that evolution took place by a process of natural

selection or survival of the fittest. This meant that the animals and

plants best suited to their surroundings survived and were able to

pass on their genes to their offspring. The ones that weren't best

suited died off and didn't get the chance to reproduce. Animals and

plants had to change or evolve due to environmental pressures. Over

millions of years the conditions on the Earth have changed

tremendously, the environmental conditions we have now are very

different. If organisms hadn't adapted or changed to live in those

changing conditions we would have no life on Earth. Those organisms

that had the characteristics, which allowed them to survive, as food

became scarce or the temperature got colder or warmer were able to

survive and pass on the characteristics to the next generation. In any

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