Evolution Flashcards
What is evolution?
The idea that organisms change over time
What is the evidence for evolution?
Fossils that show organisms have changed over millions of years
What is a fossil?
Remains of an organism that have formed over millions of years.
Which scientist came up with the idea that evolution happens because of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
Why was Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection not believed when he first came up with it?
It did not include God - most people were religious then.
There was no understanding of inheritance and DNA
What is DNA?
A chemical found inside cells that makes the instructions needed to make you.
What is a Gene?
A chunk of DNA that contians the instructions to make one part of you e.g. your eye colour
What is a random mutation?
When DNA/Genes are randomly changed by mistake. This causes some features to change e.g. brown eyes to blue eyes.
What is meant by variation
variation is the difference between living things e.g. variation in eye colour
What is the order of the key words that explain how evolution happens by natural selection?
Random Mutation Variation Advantage Survive Reproduce Genes (passed on)
