Living organisms struggle for access to limited resources. This struggle is known as competition.

Differences between organisms of the same species are known as variation.

An adaptation is a feature that helps an organism to function and survive.

A feature that helps an organism to compete more effectively in its habitat gives the organism an advantage in the competition.

Organisms that are the best adapted to their environment are said to be the fittest.

Competition

Science

Fossils show that species change over time

Understanding time scales

Adaptations

Heritable variation

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 do animals and plants both compete for?

Which of the following do plants **not** compete for?

The best adapted organism can be described as the ...

Which feature will best help a squirrel to obtain food?

to reach leaves on thorny branches without scratching its face or eyes

Match the adaptation to its role in helping the animals survive.

to float and gain as much sunlight as possible

Match the adaptation to its role in helping the plant survive.

What does a habitat provide for all living organism?

living organisms struggle for access to limited resources

differences between organisms of the same species

a feature that helps an organism to function and survive

What adaptations might a plant have in this polar region?

What feature might a plant that lives in the desert **not** have??

What adaptations might a rainforest plant have?

Competition

Lesson outcome