Inheritance & EvolutionIntroduction

The Story: The Survival of the Fittest

Part of Evolution — GCSE Biology

This introduction covers The Story: The Survival of the Fittest within Evolution for GCSE Biology. Theory of evolution, natural selection, and evidence for evolution It is section 1 of 13 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 13

Practice

26 questions

Recall

25 flashcards

The Story: The Survival of the Fittest

Charles Darwin spent 5 years on HMS Beagle, observing nature. He noticed that individuals vary, and those with advantages survive better and reproduce more. Over generations, this leads to evolution — gradual change in species. His idea was controversial in 1859 but is now the foundation of biology!

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Evolution. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Natural Selection — Step by Step Evidence for Evolution Example: Antibiotic Resistance

Practice Questions for Evolution

What is evolution?

A. The gradual change in living organisms over time
B. The growth of an individual organism
C. Animals moving to different habitats
D. The creation of new organisms from nothing

1 markfoundation

Describe three pieces of evidence that support Darwin's theory of evolution.

4 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

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.

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.

26 questions on Evolution — practise free

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Evolution

Natural Selection — Step by Step