What was Charles Darwin's main contribution to science?

• A. He discovered the structure of DNA.
• B. He proposed the theory of natural selection as a mechanism for evolution.
• C. He classified organisms using binomial nomenclature.
• D. He developed the first microscope.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the question: Charles Darwin was a naturalist whose work focused on understanding the diversity of life and the mechanisms behind evolution.
2. Clarify the incorrect options: Darwin did not discover the structure of DNA (this was done by Watson and Crick), nor did he develop the first microscope (this was attributed to Antonie van Leeuwenhoek). Additionally, binomial nomenclature was developed by Carl Linnaeus, not Darwin.
3. Focus on Darwin's main contribution: Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection, which explains how traits that provide a survival or reproductive advantage become more common in a population over generations.
4. Explain the significance of natural selection: Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, where organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to their offspring.
5. Conclude by emphasizing Darwin's impact: Darwin's theory of natural selection revolutionized biology by providing a scientific explanation for the diversity of life and the process of evolution.