Evolution

Question 1

Define evolution

Answer 1

The gradual changes that occur in a species over many generations

Question 2

Define small scale evolution

Answer 2

Involves changes over a few generations but no new species develops

Question 3

Define natural selection

Answer 3

The way that organisms that are best adapted to their environment survive and live long enough to breed

Question 4

What is natural selection also known as

Answer 4

Survival of the fittest

Question 5

An example of natural selection

Answer 5

Peppered moth: camouflaged well against the lichens on trees, whereas the black moth stood out and was eaten by predators. Black moth begins to die out.
However pollution caused lichens to die and the barks of trees turned black. Peppered moths began to stand out and black moths camouflaged. Peppered moth begins to die out.

Question 6

Define extinction

Answer 6

Means that a particular species no longer exists

Question 7

Large scale evolution

Answer 7

Involves changes over many generations in DNA where a new species develops eg horse

Question 8

An observation that Charles Darwin made on the Galápagos Islands

Answer 8

The finches were very similar but all differed in their beaks: the beaks were perfectly designed to feed on the food source of the island

Question 9

Tree of Life

Answer 9

All living things have a common ancestor, not in a straight line of descent but in various branches

Question 10

Biodiversity

Answer 10

Used to describe the vast number of different species of living organisms living on earth

Question 11

How does natural selection explain biodiversity?

Answer 11

In order to survive, each organism had to adapt to its specific habitat and form a species. There’s loads of habitats on earth so loads of species!