BLG 133 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte De Buffon, Georges Cuvier, Thomas Robert Malthus
Document Summary
Section 8. 1 scientific contributions to a theory of evolution. Empirical studies; observation and experiment to form ideas and hypotheses about nature. Comte de buffon - suggested that earth was older than 6000 years old. Mary anning (1799-1847) fossil hunter; discovered an aquatic reptile. Georges cuvier; french naturalist (1769-1832) developing the science of paleontology; study through ancient life from fossils, and found evidence that new species appeared and other species disappeared over time [showed that species could become extinct] Catastrophism (catastrophes that destroyed species living in a particular region, allowing neighbor regions to repopulate the area) cuvier"s idea of species that are extinct. Uniformitarianism (theorized that slow, subtle processes could happen over a long period of time that can result in changes) charles lyell proposed the james. Charles darwin (1809-1882) explore various countries and geographical locations: theory of evolution by natural selection; life changed and continues to change during earth"s history. Individuals best suited for environment survive to produce more offspring.
