Differences between members of the same species.

Organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on their genes to their offspring.

Climate change is a long-term shift in weather patterns.

Extinction is the permanent loss of a species

The process in which humans choose individuals with desirable traits and mate them in order to make offspring with these desirable traits.

Climate change and evolution

Biology

The fossil record provides evidence for evolution

Common ancestors and transitional species

Selective breeding and human food security

Darwin, Wallace and the theory of evolution by natural selection

The evolution of new species

Pupils will learn about random genetic mutation as a source of heritable variation, and that evolution occurs through the natural selection of genetic variants linked to advantageous phenotypes that are best suited to the environment.

Pupils learned that (phenotypic) variation between individuals of the same species means some individuals are better adapted to compete, which can lead to natural selection and cause the heritable characteristics of a species to change (evolve) over generations.

This unit explores evidence for evolution, including fossils and antibiotic resistance. It covers selective breeding, Darwin and Wallace’s contributions to natural selection, and evolution as changes in inherited traits over time. It also examines how scientific theories evolve over time.

Fossil evidence, selective breeding and explaining evolution

Seasonal differences in weather between spring, summer, autumn and winter.

The differences in temperature between day and night.

Global temperatures are now higher than the global mean of 1951-1980.

The trend is an overall decrease in temperatures since 1910.

There is total lack of agreement in the data from different agencies.

Year-to-year fluctuations means we cannot see any trend in the data.

What can we conclude from the graph shown?

the permanent loss of a species when all members have died out

a human process done to change the characteristics of a species

the differences between members of the same species

Match each of the following scientific terms to its correct definition.

True or false? All species will be able to survive climate change by migrating to new areas where the conditions remain suitable for them.

It could be brought back using selective breeding.

It could not evolve quickly enough to adapt to the changing climate.

It is the only species likely to go extinct because of climate change.

It will come back to life if the climate changes back to how it was before.

The Bramble Cay mosaic-tailed rat went extinct because of climate change. Which statement about this species is correct?

can change some species to be more resistant to climate change

may enable us to bring some species back from extinction

reduces agricultural emissions so reduces climate change

reduces fossil fuel emissions so reduces climate change

Match each action to how it helps to reduce extinctions.

True or false? Fossils provide evidence that the characteristics of species change over generations.

Ancestors of the modern horse had some different features.

Horse leg bones have stayed the same during evolution of the horse.

There are no similarities between the modern horse and its ancestors.

We cannot conclude anything about horse evolution from this evidence.

What can we conclude from the fossilised leg bones of horses?

Fossils provide evidence that the characteristics of species change over generations. These gradual changes are called…

The cats are all members of the same species. But there are differences in their characteristics. These differences are an example of…

Most scientists believe that the evolution of species can be explained by a process of natural {{}}.

If environmental conditions change and a species does not evolve fast enough to adapt to the change, this can cause all members of the species to die out. The species has then become {{}}.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Climate change and evolution

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.