Evolution

Darwin's Theory

Darwin's observations:

• Organisms produce more offspring than survive
• There's variations in characterisitics of members of the same species
• Some of these characteristics can be passed on from generation to the next
• Individuals that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive

Natural Selection

The theory of evolution by natural selection

• Individuals within a population show variation in their phenotypes due to differences in their alleles
• Predation, disease and competition create a struggle for survival
• Individuals with better adaptations are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on their alleles that cause the advantageous adaptation to their offspring
• Over time, the number of individuals with advantageous adaptations…