GCSE Biology (AQA)

331 videos | 14 hours

Theory of Evolution Controversy

Please subscribe to watch this video.

This, and all other videos, are included in our premium subscriptions.

Premium accounts get access to all videos.

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution The Development of Understanding of Gentics and Evolution

Theory of Evolution Controversy

1:57 Theories of Evolution and Speciation
Spec 4.6.3.1
Previous Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Next Lamarck's Theory
  • "On The Origin of Species" was published in 1859 by Darwin, introducing the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.
  • The book was popular and contained revolutionary ideas, leading to significant controversy.
  • The theory challenged the then widely accepted belief of creationism, which posits that God created all life.
  • Lack of evidence at the time of publication made it difficult for other scientists to accept Darwin's theory.
  • Inadequate understanding of geology and the fossil record at the time also contributed to skepticism.
  • The mechanisms of inheritance and variation, crucial for understanding evolution, were unknown during Darwin's era.
  • These mechanisms were only discovered 50 years after the theory was published.
  • As a result, the acceptance of the theory of evolution by natural selection was gradual.
  • Darwin faced mockery and criticism, exemplified by cartoons depicting him as a half chimpanzee.
  • For exams, students may need to discuss why Darwin's theory was initially ridiculed and not accepted.

Please subscribe to access these revision notes.

This, and all other video notes, are included in our premium subscriptions.

Premium accounts get access to all videos and revision notes.