Evolutionary Theory

Theory of Evolution

SC.7.L.15: Explore the scientific theory of evolution
by recognizing and explaining ways in which genetic
variation and environmental factors contribute to
evolution by natural selection and diversity of
organisms.

Essential Question:

•

SC.7.L.15.2 

Explore the scientific theory of evolution by recognizing and explaining ways in which genetic variation and environmental factors contribute to evolution by natural selection and diversity of organisms. 

 

SC.7.L.15.3 

Explore the scientific theory of evolution by relating how the inability of a species to adapt within a changing environment may contribute to the extinction of that species. 

(1809 - 1882) British natural scientist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection

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​Charles Darwin

the gradual change in a species over time

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​Theory of Evolution

Theory of Evolution:
An explanation of the changes in animal traits over time.
(Theories change with new
evidence.)

a range of different inherited traits within a species

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Genetic variation

Genetic Variation

➔ In any population, there are a variety of traits

from organism to organism. (Tall/short,
fast/slow, good eyesight/poor eyesight)

➔ This genetic variation allows for certain

individuals to have an advantage in their
specific environment

➔ Individuals with advantages live long enough

to reproduce and pass these traits to their
offspring.

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idea that only the best adapted organisms survive

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Survival of the Fittest

Survival of the Fittest

⦿ In every population, there will be some individuals

that can run faster, use camouflage, or fight better.

⦿ “Fitness” does not mean the strongest. Instead, it

refers to the organisms that are best suited to their
environment.

⦿ Fitness is measured as the ability to survive and

reproduce in order to pass on the traits that are an
advantage.

A behavior or physical trait that helps and organism survive and reproduce

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Adaptation

Adapt or Extinct:

If populations are not adapted to
their environment, they will go
extinct.

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the disappearance of all members of a species from Earth

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Extinction

Evidence of Evolution: Fossil

Record

⦿ Fossil – the preserved

remains of a dead organisms.

⦿ Fossil Record –

incomplete record of the
extinct organisms that are
related to each other and
their common ancestor.

› Provides evidence of organisms

that once existed but are now
extinct.

› Similarities between fossils

suggest how one species might
have changed and given rise to
another.
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We Do

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preserved remains of one-living organisms

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Fossils

one type of evidence of evolution - to look at the remains of an organism

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Fossil record

Match

Match the following

• factors (NOT DNA) that affect an organism's ability to survive

• preserved remains of once-living organisms

• one type of evidence of evolution - to look at the remains of an organism

• the process when organisms better suited to their environment survive and reproduce

• the idea that only the best adapted organisms survive

environmental factor

fossils

fossil record

natural selection

survival of the fittest

• environmental factor

• fossils

• fossil record

• natural selection

• survival of the fittest

the shared ancestor of tow or more different organisms

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Common ancestor

everything outside of DNA that affects an organism's ability to survive (climate, invasive species, food)

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Environmental factors

shared body structures suggest that organisms had a common ancestor

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Similar structures

Match

Match the following

• record of extinct organisms that ae related to each other and their common ancestors

• the shared ancestor of 2 or more different organisms

• the disappearance of a species from Earth

• the gradual change in a species over time

• a behavior or physical trait helps an organism survive and reproduce

fossil record

common ancestor

extinction

theory of evolution

adaptation

• fossil record

• common ancestor

• extinction

• theory of evolution

• adaptation

Multiple Choice

Everything outside of DNA that affects an organism's ability to survive

(examples: climate, food sources)

• similar structures

• adaptation

• genetic variation

• environmental factors

Multiple Choice

The gradual change in a species over time

• Natural selection

• Theory of Evolution

• Charles Darwin

• survival of the fittest

Multiple Choice

shared body structures suggest that organisms had a common ancestor

• common ancestor

• similar structures

• fossil record

• adaptation

Multiple Choice

the disappearace of all members of a species from Earth

• fossils

• natural selection

• extinction

• similar structures

Multiple Choice

a behavior or physical trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce

• adaptation

• natural selection

• common ancestor

• similar structures

Multiple Choice

British natural scientist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection

• Charles Darwin

• Gregor Mendal

• Henry Ford

• Howard Hess

Multiple Choice

The process by which organisms better suited to their environment survive and reproduce

• genetic variation

• adaptation

• survival of the fittest

• natural selection

Multiple Choice

the preserved remains of once-livng organism

• similar structures

• environmental factors

• fossils

• common ancestor

Multiple Choice

one type of evidence of evolution, to look at the remains of an organism

• fossil

• fossil record

• adaptation

• natural selection

Multiple Choice

idea that only the best adapted organism survive

• survival of the fittest

• extinction

• theory of evolution

• adaptation

Multiple Choice

the range of different inherited traits within a species

• adaptation

• natural selection

• genetic variation

• fossil record

Multiple Choice

the shared ancestor of tow or more different organisms

• common ancestor

• fossil record

• genetic variation

• adaptation

Read the article about Charles Darwin and answer the questions on the back. Circle the answers in the text.

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