Natural Selection: Darwin's Revolutionary Theory Explained

The Peppered Moth: A Classic Example of Natural Selection in Action

The story of the peppered moth in Industrial Revolution-era London provides a perfect illustration of natural selection at work. Prior to industrialization, light-colored peppered moths were well-camouflaged against lichen-covered tree bark, giving them an advantage over their darker counterparts. However, as pollution from coal-burning factories darkened the environment, this advantage shifted.

By 1895, the proportion of dark-colored peppered moths had increased from just 2% to 95% of the population. This dramatic shift occurred because:

1. The darker moths were better camouflaged in the newly-sooty environment
2. They were less likely to be eaten by predators
3. They had more opportunities to reproduce and pass on their genes

This real-world example demonstrates how changes in the environment can drive rapid evolutionary change through the process of natural selection.

Charles Darwin and the Origins of Natural Selection Theory

The concept of natural selection was first proposed by Charles Darwin in his groundbreaking 1859 book, \

Article created from: https://youtu.be/aTftyFboC_M?si=aovn6-zTu04QnTwb