Year 9 - Science
Evolution
Adaptations, competition, natural selection and evolution
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores variation within and between species, competition, and natural selection. It focuses on asking questions, making predictions, planning scientific enquiries, and testing hypotheses. It also covers analysing results, explaining findings, and identifying new questions that arise.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Key Notes
- Natural selection can cause the common characteristics of a species to change (evolve) over generations.
- Scientists explain evolution using the theory of evolution by natural selection.
- A scientific theory is a general explanation, developed from evidence, that explains many different examples.
- Evolution is not planned in advance; new advantageous features appear randomly and are maintained by natural selection.
- Changes in the features of an individual within its lifetime are not evolution.
Vocabulary To Learn
- theory: A general explanation that applies to a large number of situations. Theories are widely accepted by scientists because they have been extensively tested and evidenced.
- evolution: The process by which the characteristics of species change over many generations, sometimes becoming new species.
- natural selection: Organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on their genes to their offspring.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- There are many misconceptions about evolution, including that because evolution by natural selection is a theory it is an untrustworthy explanation.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Natural selection can cause the common characteristics of a species to change (evolve) over generations. Scientists explain evolution using the theory of evolution by natural selection.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'theory'
A general explanation that applies to a large number of situations. Theories are widely accepted by scientists because they have been extensively tested and evidenced. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: There are many misconceptions about evolution, including that because evolution by natural selection is a theory it is an untrustworthy explanation. Correction: This lesson builds understanding that a scientific theory is a well evidenced and well tested explanation that is widely accepted by scientists, and also addresses some common misconceptions about evolution.
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