What Is The Essence Of Charles Darwin's Theory Of Evolution?

Charles Darwin was an English biologist who is now credited with developing the theory of evolution, one of the most important theories in modern biology. His book On the origin of species, was published in 1859.

He put forward the mechanism of natural selection to explain how organisms managed to change and adapt to their environment over a period of time. He said that animals were born with slightly different characteristics – those that were most able to survive – ie those that were 'fittest' survived to have offspring and so pass on these characteristics. Other individuals with poorer survival characteristics tended to die before they bred, so they did not pass their properties on to the population.

Darwin's theories were, and still are for some people, in conflict with religious ideas of creation and the controversy still rages about his theories. However, most scientist accept evolution and it can now be explained at the molecular level.