Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes a historical event that contributed to theories of evolution?

a. Wallace reviewed Darwin’s manuscript on bio geography across a variety of islands in the Pacific.

b.  Charles Lyell supported Darwin’s idea that past geological processes are similar to present day processes. c.  Gregor Mendel’s genetics work provided Darwin with evidence that traits vary in a population. d.  Classification by Joseph and Gould provided Darwin with observational evidence for his theory.

Answer 1

The correct answer is b. Charles Lyell supported Darwin’s idea that past geological processes are similar to present day processes.

Charles Lyell was geologist who assumed that geological processes (natural process such as erosion, deposition, sedimentation) acting in the past were much the same as the ones today. Darwin constructed an explanation of the origin of living things based on Lyell's Principles in terms of natural processes.