Variation is the term for differences between individuals of the same species.

Differences between individuals that are caused by the environment are known as environmental variation.

Differences between individuals that are caused by the genetic material they inherit are known as genetic variation.

The offspring of a living organism are the young produced following reproduction.

Heritable traits are features that can be passed on from a parent to their offspring via instructions stored in genetic material (DNA).

Heritable variation

Science

Fossils show that species change over time

Understanding time scales

Adaptations

Competition

Natural selection

A model of natural selection

Evolution

Pupils will learn that the fossil record provides evidence of evolution from common ancestors through transitional species to modern species, and that the theory of evolution by natural selection can be used to explain phenotypic changes in populations of species over generations.

Pupils learned that variation (differences in the features of individuals of the same species) can be caused by environmental and genetic factors.

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.

Adaptations, competition, natural selection and evolution

What is the term for differences between individuals of the same species?

Which of the following are examples of environmental variation in plants?

Which of the following is **not** a lifestyle factor that causes variation.

an organism can choose to have or not have.

are passed on from parents to their offspring.

Which are examples of inherited variation?

Which traits are caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors.

Where is the genetic material stored in plant and animal cells?

True or false? Boys look like their Dad and girls look like their Mum.

Genetic information is stored as {{}} in the nucleus.

How many chromosomes does each human parent pass onto their offspring?

Which features do these cats **not** share?

Andeep: These cats are different species because they look different.

Alex: These cats are both the same species as they share many characteristics.

Sam: These cats could be related as they look similar.

Jun: The cats are definitely not related.

Starter Quiz

Where is the genetic material stored in plant and animal cells?