Natural selection, step by step
Natural selection is four plain steps. Say them in order and you can explain almost any example, from peppered moths to antibiotic resistance.
Part of your national curriculum
- Biology: genetics and evolution: Understand differences between species and the variation between individuals of the same species
- Biology: genetics and evolution: Understand changes in the environment that may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Outline natural selection using evidence
Key learning points
- • The four steps
- • Careful language
This lesson at a glance
- 30 minutes
- 12 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 12
Visual introductionPicture this
Natural selection, step by step
Natural selection is four plain steps. Say them in order and you can explain almost any example, from peppered moths to antibiotic resistance.
In a nutshell
Outline natural selection using evidence
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 12
Learn
The four steps
Variation exists; more offspring are produced than survive; those with helpful features survive and breed; the helpful features become more common over generations.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 12
Learn
Careful language
Individuals do not choose to adapt. Populations change because some individuals leave more offspring. 'Trying to evolve' is never a correct answer.
Reset break
Part 4 of 12
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 5 of 12
Quick check
Part 6 of 12
Quick check
Part 7 of 12
Reset break
Part 8 of 12
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 9 of 12
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 10 of 12
Game · Recall cards
Natural selection acts on…
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 11 of 12
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Natural selection, step by step
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Natural selection acts on…
2. Migrating to avoid winter is which type of adaptation?
3. A population changes over generations because…
4. Which is continuous variation?
Lesson round-up
Part 12 of 12
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 12 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Understand differences between species and the variation between individuals of the same species
- Not looked at yet
Understand changes in the environment that may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction