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.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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).
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.
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that evolutionary changes happen rapidly.
Evolution is a process that occurs over huge periods of time.
Equipment
Licence
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