Researching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution
I can explain the theory of evolution by natural selection, giving examples of how it has led to animals having certain characteristics.
Researching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution
I can explain the theory of evolution by natural selection, giving examples of how it has led to animals having certain characteristics.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection to explain animals' adaptations.
- The theory is based on the idea that within a species, there are variations and competition.
- Within a habitat, some individuals will be better-adapted and others will be less-well-adapted.
- The better-adapted individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on these advantageous characteristics.
- Over a huge period of time, the advantageous characteristics become normal in the species (or can create a new species).
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that evolutionary changes happen rapidly.
Evolution is a process that occurs over huge periods of time.
Keywords
Variations - differences between individuals in a particular species
Natural selection - theory that organisms with characteristics beneficial for living in a particular environment will pass on these characteristics to offspring
Offspring - the young of an animal
Evolution - the process by which living things change and develop over millions of years.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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