1. EVOLUTION

2. What is Evolution?
Evolution is the relative change in the characteristics of populations that occurs over successive generations

3. Diversity of Life Diversity is the cornerstone of evolutionary biology
Not all individuals of a species are exactly alike
Differences between individuals are not always immediately visible
Diversity is important for the long term survival of a species

4. Biodiversity
Differences in characteristics between individuals may be:
Advantageous
Harmful
Neutral
Characteristic may not give an individual an advantage now, but may become critical for survival later if the environment changes

5. What controls the characteristics of individuals?
Genes!!
There are different versions of genes, known as alleles, in a population which is the basis of biodiversity.
Gene pool – total of all genes in a population

6. What is Evolution? Evolution is
the relative change in the characteristics of populations that occurs over successive generations
any shift in the gene pool of a population
ratio of characteristics in a population change over successive generations

7. Who can evolve? Individuals cannot evolve!
Individuals cannot change their genes.
Populations are the smallest unit that can evolve.
Populations can have a shift in their gene pool.

8. Why would populations evolve?
So that a population becomes better suited to its habitats.
Increased survival
Better chance of passing on characteristics to offspring.
Takes place over many generations.

9. How does a population evolve?
A shift in the gene pool so that a higher ratio of individuals have a particular adaptation.
Adaptation
a particular structure, physiology or behaviour that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment.
e.g. camouflage, superb sense of smell, bill shape

10. Example of a population that evolved: Peppered moths in England