In the Galápagos Islands, Darwin found many species specific to the various islands. He saw large
iguanas swimming in the ocean and eating seaweed. He also found giant tortoises with carvings on
their backs from whalers who had passed through a hundred years before. From all the information
gathered by Darwin, two central concepts emerged to form the basis of his theory of evolution.
First, Darwin observed that variations within a species were dependent on the environment.
Adaptations
are genetically coded traits that occur in organisms and enable them to be more successful in their
environment.
What was Darwin's hypothesis regarding the purpose of these adaptations?
O the adaptations had no effects on the species
O the adaptations contributed to the species extinction
O the adaptations ensured the survival of the species
O the adaptations ensured the survival of the individual organism
