Inheritance & EvolutionDeep Dive

Example: Antibiotic Resistance

Part of Evolution — GCSE Biology

This deep dive covers Example: Antibiotic Resistance within Evolution for GCSE Biology. Theory of evolution, natural selection, and evidence for evolution It is section 4 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 4 of 13

Practice

26 questions

Recall

25 flashcards

Example: Antibiotic Resistance

Random mutation gives some bacteria resistance to antibiotic
Antibiotic kills non-resistant bacteria
Resistant bacteria survive and reproduce
They pass on resistance allele to offspring
Eventually, most of population is resistant
The antibiotic no longer works

Example: MRSA — "superbug" resistant to many antibiotics

Visual: Natural Selection

Natural selection diagram showing the 4 steps (variation, competition, survival, reproduction), peppered moth example before and after industrial revolution, and antibiotic resistance in bacteria

Remember: Variation → Competition → Survival of fittest → Reproduction → Alleles become more common over generations

Quick Recall Flashcards

What did Charles Darwin propose and when?

In 1859, Darwin published 'On the Origin of Species', proposing that all species evolve through natural selection. Individuals with advantageous characteristics are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on those traits to offspring.

What is evolution?

The gradual change in the inherited characteristics of a population over many generations through the process of natural selection. It can lead to new species forming over very long time periods.

Example: Antibiotic Resistance

Example: Antibiotic Resistance

Visual: Natural Selection

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Practice Questions for Evolution

Quick Recall Flashcards

26 questions on Evolution — practise free