The survival of the fittest
I can explain the meaning of ‘survival of the fittest’ and give examples in animals or plants.
The survival of the fittest
I can explain the meaning of ‘survival of the fittest’ and give examples in animals or plants.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Charles Darwin suggested that all the kinds of living things that exist today developed from earlier types.
- Some animals and plants are more likely to survive than others.
- Living things that survive can reproduce to pass on characteristics to their offspring.
- The most useful and strongest adaptations are passed on to enable the next generation of plants or animals to survive.
- Survival of the fittest means organisms that are better adapted to their habitat are most likely to survive & reproduce.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that the ‘fittest’, as in ‘survival of the fittest’, means the most physically fit or healthy, rather than the most suited to the environment and conditions.
Using the examples in the slide deck, clearly explain that when we refer to the ‘fittest’ living things surviving, we mean those that are best suited to the conditions they are living in.
Keywords
Charles Darwin - Charles Darwin was an English scientist who studied nature.
Adaptation - An adaptation is a feature of a plant or animal that helps them to survive in their habitat.
Offspring - Living things create offspring when they reproduce.
Survive - To survive means to continue to stay alive.
Reproduce - When living things reproduce they make copies of themselves.
Equipment
Green, yellow, red and black wool.
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).
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