18.3.1

Natural Selection

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Natural Selection

Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection proposed that all species have evolved from simple life forms that first appeared on Earth more than three billion years ago. The process is:

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Charles Darwin

  • Charles Darwin introduced his theory of natural selection in his book 'On the Origin of Species'.
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Genetic variation

  • Different individual animals in a population (or species) have different combinations of genes (show genetic variation).
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Survival of the fittest

  • Individuals that are best adapted to the environment will have a greater chance of survival.
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Successful breeding

  • Individuals with the best chances of survival are the most likely to breed successfully (because they survive).
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Best characteristics survive

  • The characteristics responsible for the greater chance of survival are more likely to be passed on to the next generation.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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