Key learning points

1. Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection to explain animals' adaptations.
2. The theory is based on the idea that within a species, there are variations and competition.
3. Within a habitat, some individuals will be better-adapted and others will be less-well-adapted.
4. The better-adapted individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on these advantageous characteristics.
5. 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