4.6.2.2 Evolution

Question 1

Describe evolution.

Answer 1

• A change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species

Question 2

What does a theory of evolution by natural selection state?

Answer 2

• That all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than 3 billion years ago

Question 3

Explain how evolution occurs.

Answer 3

• Idea that the fittest individuals are more likely to survive was noticed by Charles Darwin in the 1800s and he called it survival of the Fittest
• Certain traits were being passed on from parent to child and at the most useful traits were passed on the most he called this natural selection (as the fittest individuals were being selected to survive)
• His most important thought though was all current species must have evolved from different species sometime in the past

Question 4

When do two populations of one species become so different that they have formed two new species?

Answer 4

• If two populations of one species become so different in phenotype that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring