In formulating his theory of evolution,Darwin used information available to him through observation and common knowledge,including the knowledge that
A) offspring differ from their parents and that populations of species display variation.
B) genes are the basis for inheritance and that mutations in DNA lead to evolutionary change.
C) populations do not change over time,though individuals within a population do.
D) the fossil record includes all forms of present day life.
E) cells pass on their genetic material through cell division and all cells within an organism have the same genome.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin observed that offspring differed in appearance from their parents and that populations within a species displayed variation. This variation served as the foundation for his theory of natural selection, where certain traits would be selected for or against based on their helpfulness in survival and reproduction.

In Formulating His Theory of Evolution,Darwin Used Information Available to Him