6.3.4: Evidence for evolution
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
The theory of evolution by natural selection is now widely accepted.
Evidence for Darwin’s theory comes from genes passing characteristics to offspring, the fossil record, and antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance example: if antibiotics kill non-resistant bacteria, resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, so the resistant strain becomes more common.
Common exam mistakes
Do not use fossils alone as the only evidence; inherited characteristics and antibiotic resistance in bacteria also support evolution.
Antibiotics do not cause bacteria to mutate; resistant strains arise by mutation and are selected when antibiotics kill non-resistant bacteria.
Do not write that individual bacteria try to become resistant; resistance becomes more common in the population over generations.
If asked how evidence improved understanding, include genetics as well as fossils rather than only describing fossil formation.