B5.2.1 - Natural Selection Flashcards
What is evolution?
The gradual change in species over time
How did most creatures alive today form?
They most likely evolved from previous unicellular organisms millions of years ago
What process do organisms go through to evolve?
Natural selection
Give an example of how genetic variation may increase?
Mutation
Why do only some phenotypes survive from genetic variation?
They may not have the genetics to be able to survive while other phenotypes can survive and pass on their advantageous characteristics
Describe the process of natural selection.
Organisms show variation due to their genes mutating. The organisms with the best adapted genetics survive and reproduce. Other phenotypes die off. The new reproduced organisms will survive with their advantageous genetics and carry on reproducing
Give an example of natural selection in an organism
Peppered moths used to be pale or black, but the black moths were easily spotted by predators and killed, while the pale moths reproduced as they were able to survive with better genetics. However, during the Industrial Revolution trees were covered in soot so black moths had camouflage and would get the better genetics