6.2.2: Evolution
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Evolution: a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species.
The theory of evolution by natural selection states that all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago.
Natural selection acts on variants with phenotypes best suited to their environment.
Individuals with better-suited phenotypes are more likely to survive, breed and pass on their alleles.
Over many generations, advantageous inherited characteristics can become more common in the population.
If two populations of one species become so different in phenotype that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring they have formed two new species.
Common exam mistakes
Natural selection starts with variation in the population; leaving this out breaks the explanation.
Useful alleles are passed on through reproduction; individuals do not pass on acquired characteristics.
Survival and reproduction are both needed: better-suited individuals survive, breed and pass on alleles.
Natural selection changes a population over generations, not one individual during its lifetime.
When using data, link the selected feature to the resource or pressure in the question, such as food type, competition or camouflage.