Evolution (AQA GCSE Biology)
Revision Note
Written by: Lára Marie McIvor
Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham
Evolution
Evolution can be defined as:
A change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time
Evolution occurs by a process known as natural selection
During natural selection individuals with phenotypes that are best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their features to their offspring
The theory of evolution by natural selection states that all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago
Natural selection can lead to the development of new species by a process known as speciation
Speciation is said to have occurred when two populations have phenotypes that are so different that they can no longer breed together to produce fertile offspring
Evolution diagram
The theory of evolution states that all living things have evolved from simple life forms
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that the term evolution refers to changes in species over time, while natural selection is the mechanism by which this change has taken place.
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