Darwin's main merit is... Darwin's contributions to biology in brief

Biology test OPTION – 1. 1. The main merit of Charles Darwin is: A) the formulation of the biogenetic law; C) development of the theory of natural selection; B) creation of the first evolutionary theory; D) creation of the law of natural series. 2. Charles Darwin considered the most intense form of struggle for existence: A) struggle with unfavorable conditions; B) interspecific; B) intraspecific; D) all of the above forms equally. 3. Natural selection operates at the level of: A) an individual organism; B) type; B) populations; D) biocenosis. 4. Homologous organs are: A) a cat’s paw and a fly’s leg; C) reptile scales and bird feathers; B) human eye and spider eye; D) butterfly wing and bird wing. 5. Ape-men include: A) Cro-Magnon man; B) Pithecanthropus; B) Australopithecus; D) Neanderthal. 6. An environmental factor that goes beyond endurance is called: A) stimulating; B) abiotic; B) limiting; D) anthropogenic 7. Eukaryotes: A) capable of chemosynthesis; C) do not have many organelles; B) have circular DNA; D) have a core with its own shell. 8. A common feature of plant and animal cells is: A) heterotrophy; B) the presence of chloroplasts; B) the presence of mitochondria; D) the presence of a rigid cell wall. 9. Biopolymers are: A) proteins; B) nucleic acids; B) polysaccharides; D) all of the above. 10. Uracil forms a complementary bond with: A) adenine B) cytosine B) thymine D) guanine. 11. Glycolysis is called: A) the totality of all processes of energy metabolism in a cell; B) oxygen-free breakdown of glucose; B) complete breakdown of glucose; D) polymerization of glucose to form glycogen. 12. The order of the mitosis stage is as follows: A) metaphase, telophase, prophase, anaphase; B) prophase, metaphase, telophase, anaphase; B) prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase; D) telophase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase; 13. Chromosome duplication occurs in: A) interphase B) metaphase B) prophase D) telophase 14. In anaphase of mitosis, divergence occurs: A) daughter chromosomes B) non-homologous chromosomes B) homologous chromosomes D) cell organelles. 15. Of the animals listed, the largest egg is in: A) sturgeon B) lizard B) frog D) chicken. 16. The following are formed from the ectoderm: A) muscles B) skeleton B) lungs D) sensory organs. 17. In a Mendeleev monohybrid cross, the proportion of individuals with at least one recessive gene in the second generation will be equal to: A) 25% B) 50% C) 75% D) 100%

18. Genes located on: A) one chromosome B) sex chromosomes B) homologous chromosomes D) autosomes are called linked genes. 19. Mutations manifest themselves phenotypically: A) always B) only in a homozygous state B) only in a heterozygous state D) never. 20. Polyploidy consists of: A) a change in the number of individual chromosomes B) a change in the structure of chromosomes B) a multiple change in the haploid number of chromosomes; D) changes in the structure of individual genes. ANSWER: 1 – C, 2 – B, 3 – B, 4 – C, 5 – C, 6 – B, 7 – D, 8 – B, 9 – D, 10 – A, 11 – B, 12 – B, 13 – A, 14 – A, 15 – D, 16 – D, 17 – B, 18 – A, 19 – C, 20 – B. OPTION – 2 1. According to Charles Darwin, the driving forces of evolution are: A) struggle for existence; B) natural selection; B) hereditary variability; D) all of the above. 2. The leading role in evolution is played by the following type of variability: A) certain; B) group; B) modification; D) mutational. 3. The driving form of selection usually leads to: A) destruction of individuals with deviations B) expansion of the previous norm of reaction; from the previous norm of reaction; B) narrowing of the previous norm of reaction; D) a shift in the previous norm of reaction. 4. Similar organs are: A) gills of crayfish and gills of fish; C) birch leaves and cactus needles; B) a dog’s paw and a bird’s wing; D) all of the above pairs. 5. During the Ice Age lived: A) Cro-Magnons; B) synanthropes; B) Neanderthals; D) all of the above. 6. The productivity of an ecosystem is called: A) its total biomass; B) total biomass of producers; B) the increase in this biomass per unit of time; D) total biomass of consumers. 7. Prokaryotic cells have: A) nuclei; B) mitochondria; B) ribosomes; D) all of the listed organelles. 8. Leukoplasts are cell organelles in which: A) protein synthesis occurs; C) there are red and yellow pigments; B) the process of photosynthesis is carried out; D) starch accumulates. 9. Nucleotides in a strand of a DNA molecule are connected by the following bond: A) covalent; B) peptide; B) hydrogen; D) disulfide bridges. 10. Transcription is: A) synthesis of an mRNA molecule B) delivery of amino acids to ribosomes along the matrix of one of the DNA chains; during protein synthesis; B) transfer of information from mRNA to protein D) process of assembly of a protein molecule. during its synthesis; 11. ATP synthesis in the cell occurs in the process of: A) glycolysis; B) cellular respiration; B) photosynthesis; D) all of the above. 12.The longest phase of mitosis is:

A) prophase; B) anaphase; B) metaphase; D) telophase. 13. Reduction in the number of chromosomes occurs during: A) anaphase of mitosis; B) II division of meiosis; B) I division of meiosis; D) in all of the above cases. 14. The biological significance of meiosis is to ensure: A) genetic stability; B) genetic variability; B) tissue regeneration and increase D) asexual reproduction. number of cells in the body; 15. The nervous system is formed from: A) ectoderm; B) mesoderm; B) endoderm; D) there is no correct answer. 16. The following are formed from the mesoderm: A) lungs; B) circulatory system; B) nervous system; D) sense organs. 17. How many types of gametes are formed by diheterozygous individuals: A) one; At four; B) two; D) there is no correct answer. 18. Mutational variability includes: A) changes in chromosomes; B) changes that are inherited; B) changes in genes; D) all of the above. 19. The main source of combinative variability is: A) chromosome crossover B) independent chromatid divergence In prophase I of the meiotic division; in anaphase II of the meiotic division; B) independent divergence D) all of the above processes to an equal extent. homologous chromosomes in anaphase I of meiotic division; 20. Interline hybridization of cultivated plants leads to: A) preservation of the same productivity; B) increasing productivity; B) the emergence of new characteristics; D) consolidation of signs. ANSWER: 1 - G, 2 - G, 3 - G, 4 - A, 5 - B, 6 - B, 7 - B, 8 - G, 9 - A, 10 - A, 11 - G, 12 - A, 13 – B, 14 – V, 15 – A, 16 – V, 17 – V, 18 – D, 19 – D, 20 – V.

You will read a message about the English scientist and naturalist in this article.

Charles Darwin's contributions to science

He created the evolutionary theory, substantiating it scientifically. Charles Darwin's doctrine of natural selection is set out in his main work, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, published in 1859.

Charles Darwin's contributions to biology

The English scientist believed that the struggle for existence and hereditary variability are the driving forces of evolution. The struggle causes natural selection, during which only the fittest individuals of a certain species survive. During the process of reproduction, their hereditary changes are summed up and accumulated. Today, Darwin's teachings are called "Darwinism" or "evolutionary doctrine." But let's take a closer look at how the naturalist Charles Darwin came to the discovery of his theory.

First of all, he studied the achievements of his predecessors and made several trips to South America to study the geological deposits of the skeletons of giant non-toothed animals. The scientist also studied the ancestors of bramblings on the Galapagos Islands, which flew here from the mainland and adapted to new food sources: nectar, hard seeds and insects. Charles Darwin thought that species changes in animals are due to their adaptation to new living conditions. Returning home, he set himself the task of solving the question of the origin of species. In 1859, in his book “The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,” he summarized the collected empirical material on biology and breeding practice, based on observations made during his travels. Then there were two more books with factual materials: “Change in Domestic Animals and Cultivated Plants” (1868), “The Descent of Man and Sexual Selection” (1871). The theory of natural selection he put forward, when stronger and fitter species survive in the world, made him an authoritative scientist in the world of science.

The basis of Darwin's theory is the property of heredity: the ability of an organism to repeat the type of metabolism of its predecessors in individual development. This ensures the constancy and diversity of life forms. Darwin even came up with a so-called motto for his theory - “the struggle for existence.” This concept is used by scientists to describe the interactions between organisms and abiotic conditions. These conditions lead to the fact that only the fittest individuals survive, and the less fit die.

Achievements of Charles Darwin

In addition to the theory of evolution, he I was interested in studying psychology. In 1872 and 1877, he published the works “On the Expression of Sensations in Animals and Humans,” “Instinct,” and “Biographical Sketch of a Child.” The scientist was the first to use the objective method of study in psychology as a form of observation rather than experiment. The English naturalist was also the first to study the mental phenomenon of expression of emotions through the principle of objective analysis.

The main provisions of the teachings of Charles Darwin. The main merit of Charles Darwin is that he, together with A. Wallace, explained the development of nature by the action of only natural laws, without the intervention of supernatural forces. The main provisions of his teaching reveal the causes - the driving forces of the evolution of the organic world. Charles Darwin drew attention to the variety of breeds of domestic animals and varieties of cultivated plants. How did this diversity arise? Trying to answer this question, he came to the following conclusion: man creates varieties and breeds based on hereditary variability And artificial selection . From generation to generation, man selected and left for the tribe individuals with some hereditary change and eliminated other individuals from reproduction. As a result, new breeds and varieties were obtained, their characteristics corresponded to human interests.

Understanding the origin of cultural forms provides the key to explaining the origin of species. Hereditary variability, on the basis of which artificial selection is carried out, also manifests itself in nature. By itself, it does not yet lead to the formation of a new species, just as it does not lead to the emergence of a cultural form. Similar to human creativity in nature, there must be reasons that determine the process of speciation. They are struggle for existence And natural selection.

Struggle for existence - complex and diverse relationships of organisms with each other and environmental conditions. The inevitability of the struggle for existence in living nature stems from the contradiction between the ability of organisms to reproduce unlimitedly and the limited means of life, which leads to competition for the same food, for similar living and reproduction conditions. The opportunity to survive to sexual maturity falls to only a few individuals.

The consequence of the struggle for existence is natural selection , maintaining beneficial individual differences and eliminating harmful ones. Natural selection preserves individuals with hereditary changes that are useful under given environmental conditions and eliminates individuals without these changes. As a result, the first ones leave fertile offspring and their numbers increase.

Thus, from generation to generation, as a result of the interconnected action of hereditary variability, the struggle for existence, and natural selection, species change in the direction of increasing adaptability to the conditions of existence. The fitness of organisms as a result of evolution is always relative. Another result of evolution is the diversity of species inhabiting the Earth.

The teaching of Charles Darwin does not need to involve non-material factors to explain the evolution and proves that the driving forces of the development of nature are found in nature itself. They are hereditary variability, struggle for existence And natural selection.

Therefore, living nature has self-propulsion And self-development . This is the ideological significance of the teachings of Charles Darwin.

The contradiction between the intensity of reproduction and the limited means of life. Who hasn’t watched dandelion seeds fly in the wind, suspended on parachutes? Think about what would happen if every dandelion seed sprouted and produced offspring? And this would continue for several years? It is estimated that in just 10 years, the offspring of just one dandelion would cover our planet with a continuous layer 20 cm thick. But there are plants that bear even more seeds. So, in a poppy capsule there are up to 3000 seeds, and there are up to ten such capsules on one plant. It is not difficult to calculate how many seeds are dispersed by just one poppy plant each year.

Many animals are also fertile. The sturgeon lives about 50 years. Every year he lays almost 300 thousand eggs, sweeping more than 15 million during his life. If not a single egg is lost, then the offspring of one female sturgeon is enough to populate all our rivers. A pair of elephants, one of the less fertile animals, producing no more than 6 cubs over the entire period, over 750 years can potentially produce offspring amounting to 19 million individuals. But neither elephants nor dandelions fill the entire globe. This happens because not every organism survives to sexual maturity: most individuals die due to lack of space, food, moisture, light and other reasons. The contradiction between the ability of organisms to reproduce unlimitedly and the limited means of life inevitably leads to a struggle for existence.

The struggle for existence and its forms. Term struggle for existence C. Darwin used it in a metaphorical sense, meaning by this the various relationships of organisms with environmental factors and with each other, and not only as a direct struggle between predator and prey, accompanied by bloodshed and death. Charles Darwin identified three forms of struggle for existence.

I . Intraspecific struggle occurs most acutely, since all individuals of the species need the same, and very limited resources - food, living space, shelters, breeding sites. Each species has a set of adaptations that reduce the possibility of collisions between individuals (marking the boundaries of individual areas, complex hierarchical relationships in a herd, flock, etc.). However, species adaptations that benefit the species as a whole often harm individual individuals and lead to their death. For example, brown hares, when there is a lack of food, drive a competitor away from good grazing areas and fight while chasing the female. Intraspecific struggle plays a big role in evolution, leading to the death of individual individuals of the species; it determines the prosperity of the species as a whole and contributes to its improvement.

An example of the struggle for existence is the favoring of one species by another without harming itself (birds and mammals distribute fruits and seeds), the mutual adaptation of species to each other (flowers and their pollinators). Thus, interspecific struggle leads to the evolution of both interacting species and to the development of mutual adaptations in them. Interspecific struggle intensifies and intensifies intraspecific struggle.

III . Combating unfavorable conditions of inorganic nature also enhances intraspecific competition, as individuals of the same species compete for food, light, warmth and other conditions of existence. It is no coincidence that a plant in the desert is said to fight drought. In the tundra, trees are represented by dwarf forms, although they do not experience competition from other plants. The winners in the fight are the most viable individuals (their physiological processes and metabolism proceed more efficiently). If biological characteristics are inherited, this will ultimately lead to the improvement of species adaptations to the environment.

Natural selection. The phenomenon of variability has been known for a long time. The ability of organisms to reproduce exponentially has long been known. But it was Charles Darwin who compared these two phenomena in nature and made an ingenious conclusion that seems so simple to us now: in the process of struggle for existence, only those organisms survive that are distinguished by some useful features under given conditions. Consequently, the probability of survival is not the same: individuals that have at least minor advantages over others have a greater chance of surviving and leaving offspring. Charles Darwin called the process of preserving some individuals at the expense of others natural selection . The term “selection” itself has a conditional meaning, since there is no selector in nature. Environmental conditions act as evaluators of new signs and properties. The choice of the term is justified by the analogy between the survival of individuals in natural conditions and artificial selection. Indeed, the material for both natural and artificial selection are small hereditary changes that accumulate from generation to generation. However, the speed of artificial selection is much higher (sometimes a variety or breed is created by a person during his life), and its result is the creation of forms useful to man. Natural selection occurs tirelessly and without interruption over many centuries and leads to the formation of forms adapted to the environment.

Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation

St. Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics

"The Evolutionary Theory of Charles Darwin."

Work completed by: Work accepted by: II year Viktor Efimovich

Today, the attitude towards Darwin's theories in society cannot be called unambiguous. Some consider it a scientific truth, others contrast it with a religious worldview. Charles Darwin is an outstanding English naturalist who was one of the first to come to the important biological conclusion that all types of living organisms evolve from common ancestors. In his theory, which he described in his book “The Origin of Species,” he called natural selection the main mechanism of evolution. To this day, his views have not lost their relevance, and many of the ideas underlie biological science. The contribution of this researcher to biology is difficult to overestimate.

Basis of biological knowledge

Darwin's main contribution to biology was the creation of evolutionary theory, which is the basis of all modern biology. One of the founders of the so-called synthetic theory of evolution, F. G. Dobzhansky, believes that “nothing in biology can make sense except in the light of evolutionary theory.” Any school textbook describes that amphibians descended from fish, and reptiles, in turn, from amphibians. We can say that before the theory of evolution was created (Charles Darwin's main contribution to biology), this science as such did not exist. In order to study this discipline, it was necessary to receive a medical or theological education.

As in any other branch of scientific knowledge, the theory of evolution has many more questions than answers. The question of what contribution Charles Darwin made to biology is also relevant in the light of modern research. About 80 years ago, on the basis of this concept, the so-called synthetic theory of evolution was created. However, even this is now considered outdated. Biologists are talking about the third revision of the evolutionary concept and the creation of its new version, which would combine knowledge from the field of genetics, paleontology, zoopsychology, embryology and other disciplines.

Formation of species

Darwin's contribution to biology lies in the fact that he was able to partially answer the difficult question of how new species are formed. However, the scientist himself admitted that this problem is far from its final solution.

The basic property of every biological species is that it cannot interbreed with other species - this is how it gains the ability to function as an autonomous biological unit. This property is called reproductive isolation. It is implemented using several mechanisms.

How new species are formed

First of all, this is a difference in habitats. This is also a difference in mating coloration, dissimilarity in mating rituals, and lack of viability in interspecific hybrids. At the initial stages of the speciation process, the ancestral range of an animal species is divided into several populations isolated from each other. It is in these groups separated from each other that interspecific differences accumulate. After some time, these populations may come into contact with each other again. If hybridization occurs, then this offspring should be less fit than the parental forms. After some time, hybridization stops and the speciation process is considered complete. This is what Charles Darwin's theory of evolution predicts.

Sexual selection

Darwin's contribution to biology lies in the fact that it was he who put forward the idea of sexual selection in nature, which was original for his time. At the moment, a huge amount of evidence has accumulated in favor of this theory. Darwin realized that animals have many characteristics that cannot be explained solely by adaptation to environmental conditions.

For example, the luxurious feathers of some types of birds (for example, the peacock) cannot be called adaptive. In addition, such plumage makes the bird even more vulnerable to predatory animals. It also requires the intake of additional nutrients into the body in order to maintain the shape and color of the plumage. The scientist came to the conclusion that evolution is more likely a problem of reproduction than a question of the survival of species. Any traits that are inherited and are an advantage in the mating process tend to spread throughout the animal population.

Types of sexual selection

Charles Darwin's contribution to biology lies in the fact that, in addition to putting forward the theory of sexual selection, he was able to concretize it, identifying two types of this mechanism of evolution. The first type, otherwise called male-male competition, is a competition between males for the attention of females. This type of competition helps males develop the most adaptive traits: for example, large horns, strong hooves. The second form is the female’s choice of a partner for mating. In this case, those traits that females prefer in males become most widespread in the population.

When considering Charles Darwin's contribution to biology, one cannot help but mention his words that female preferences can be compared to the actions of breeding new breeds of animals in humans. The scientist said: “Each animal has certain features, individual differences. Just as a person can breed the type of domestic birds he likes, so the preferences of females in the appearance of males will almost certainly lead to changes and modifications of characteristics in the population. These changes can reach any scale over time that is compatible with the life of the species.”

How other scientists accepted Darwin's concept

However, Darwin's contribution to the development of biology was not appreciated by scientists of that time. For example, the theory of sexual selection was accepted by the biologist and statistician R.I. Fisher and several colleagues. The reason that many ideas were not accepted by the society of that time was patriarchal morals. After all, Darwin lived in the Victorian era, and his theory of sexual choice was practically not taken into account, since it gave females a large role in the process of evolution. Until recently, this theory was not accepted by scientists.

Fisher's additions

Fisher supplemented Darwin's concept with several concepts about uncontrolled sexual selection. The scientist used this term to describe a type of selection in which a positive feedback is formed between the selection of certain traits in males by females, which leads to the spread of these traits. For example, a peacock's tail may continue to evolve until it makes it difficult for the species to survive. Scientist Zahavi put forward the concept that females prefer extremely pronounced features, since only a healthy body can maintain such features (only a full-fledged peacock can have a tail that is constantly maintained in this state).

Darwin's contribution to biology, briefly described in the article, is very great. From childhood, Darwin loved biology and showed interest in the world around him. That is why they made so many significant achievements. Without Darwin it is impossible to imagine modern natural science. Briefly, Darwin's contribution to biology can be described by the following theses:

He became the first scientist to explain the theory of the evolution of species.
Darwin's discoveries became the basis for the modern synthetic evolutionary concept.
Darwin made a significant contribution to the development of genetics, as he proved the possibility of changing species characteristics using artificial intervention.

Charles Darwin's contribution to biology is very difficult to summarize briefly, since the entire discipline is based on his discoveries. Evolutionary theory is an almost inexhaustible field of knowledge. Many questions await scientists of the new generation, who, based on Darwin's discoveries, will be able to put forward new theories and fill gaps in the concepts of modernity.

Darwin's contribution to the development of biology was made possible by his ability to identify the most important facts and phenomena that are closely related to the most important questions in the field of natural science. At that time, the question of the origin of species had not yet been posed to scientists in a clear form, but Darwin already then drew attention to those phenomena that contained the key to solving this difficult question.

Darwin's Professional Choice

Many who are interested in Darwin's contributions to biology are surprised by his biographical information. Indeed, in 1831, young Charles graduated from the university with satisfactory grades, like many others of his comrades. Professor of botany J. Henslow helped him make the final choice in favor of biological research. It was he who drew attention to the extraordinary abilities of young Darwin in time.

Journey

In 1831, the explorer began his famous voyage on a ship called the Beagle, without which Charles Darwin's contribution to the development of biology would hardly have been realized. The voyage lasted 5 years. During this time, the scientist visited many places: Chile, Peru, Brazil, and the Galapagos Islands. Each of them has its own closed fauna. And from the very beginning of his research, Darwin became seriously interested in the ways in which animals and plants migrated. The scientist was also of considerable interest in the transitional forms between species, which only caused annoyance to other researchers, since they did not fit into the then existing theories.

After the trip

Darwin's contribution to biology was not appreciated by scientists of that time, but his travel diary became very popular among the common people. It was written in very simple language. Although Charles Darwin could not be called a brilliant writer, his love for the world around him and his powers of observation made up for the imperfections of his presentation.

When Darwin returned from the expedition, he was 27 years old. And the question of his future career was resolved as if by itself, without any difficulties. Darwin did not consider himself someone capable of “advancing scientific knowledge.” He just had a huge amount of material on his hands, and he himself was already drawing up plans for further research. The scientist did just that and spent the next two decades processing the materials that he had on hand.

Darwin's merit lies in the fact that he revealed the main driving forces of evolution. He explained the change in organisms by the action of the laws of nature, without the intervention of supernatural forces. Charles Darwin based his explanation of evolution on three main factors: variability of organisms; struggle for existence; natural selection.

Slide 12 from the presentation "Development of Darwin's theory of evolution". The size of the archive with the presentation is 862 KB.

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