GCSE Quiz on Evolution and Natural Selection Theories

Biology Quiz - Unit 1 - Theories of Evolution (Questions)

This GCSE Biology quiz explores theories of evolution, focusing on how variation and natural selection can gradually change species over long periods of time.

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Fascinating Fact:

Darwin suggested that within a species there is variation, and some individuals are better adapted to their environment than others.

In GCSE Biology, theories of evolution explain how living things have changed over time. Darwin’s theory uses ideas such as variation, competition and natural selection to show how new species can eventually arise.

Key Terms

Evolution: The gradual change in species over many generations due to inherited differences.
Natural selection: The process where better adapted individuals survive and reproduce, passing on their characteristics.
Variation: Differences between individuals of the same species, such as height or fur colour.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is Darwin's theory of evolution for GCSE?

Darwin’s theory states that there is variation within species and that individuals with advantageous characteristics are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass these on to their offspring.

How does natural selection lead to evolution?

Natural selection favours individuals that are better adapted to their environment. Over many generations, these traits become more common in the population, leading to gradual evolutionary change.

What evidence supports the theory of evolution?

Evidence includes the fossil record, similarities in embryos, shared structures between species and DNA comparisons, all suggesting that living things share common ancestors.

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Evidence for evolution comes from where?

[ ]	Experiments
[ ]	Fossils
[ ]	Genetic engineering
[ ]	Cloning

Evolution leads to the formation of which of the following?

[ ]	New ideas
[ ]	New species
[ ]	New theories
[ ]	New morals

What does evolution mean?

[ ]	Gradual change
[ ]	Gradual reproduction
[ ]	Gradual excretion
[ ]	Gradual knowledge

What is a fossil?

[ ]	A very old person
[ ]	Any evidence of a plant or animal that lived ages ago
[ ]	Any very old sedimentary rock
[ ]	A skeleton of an animal

In natural selection, the individuals which survive are described as being which of the following?

[ ]	Better trained
[ ]	Better adapted
[ ]	Better suited
[ ]	Better known

The organisms which survive can then breed and pass on what?

[ ]	Their jeans
[ ]	Their pants
[ ]	Their alleles
[ ]	Their trousers

What did Lamark's theory of evolution state?

[ ]	That life evolved from apes
[ ]	That the use of a feature allowed it to develop and be passed on and vice-versa
[ ]	That evolution caused changes to skip a generation
[ ]	That features could arise and then be lost

Darwin's theory was not accepted at first because of objections by which organisation?

[ ]	The Government
[ ]	The People
[ ]	The Church
[ ]	The Police

Variation which leads to new forms of organisms is caused by what?

[ ]	Feeding
[ ]	Excretion
[ ]	Starvation
[ ]	Mutation

10.

Why are there gaps in the fossil record?

[ ]	Many organisms do not survive
[ ]	Not all organisms have been preserved
[ ]	Many fossils have been destroyed by war
[ ]	Fossils have been stolen from museums

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Evolution

Biology Quiz - Unit 1 - Theories of Evolution (Answers)

Evidence for evolution comes from where?

[ ]	Experiments
[x]	Fossils
[ ]	Genetic engineering
[ ]	Cloning

The fossil record gives a picture of the evolutionary process

Evolution leads to the formation of which of the following?

[ ]	New ideas
[x]	New species
[ ]	New theories
[ ]	New morals

Variation in each successive generation can create so many new adaptations that an organism is deemed to be a new species, as it has little in common with its ancestors

What does evolution mean?

[x]	Gradual change
[ ]	Gradual reproduction
[ ]	Gradual excretion
[ ]	Gradual knowledge

Variation is caused by genetic mutation or a change in behaviour in response to a change in the habitat or environment

What is a fossil?

[ ]	A very old person
[x]	Any evidence of a plant or animal that lived ages ago
[ ]	Any very old sedimentary rock
[ ]	A skeleton of an animal

The fossil record of the horse is particularly complete and provides evidence for evolution that is difficult to deny

In natural selection, the individuals which survive are described as being which of the following?

[ ]	Better trained
[x]	Better adapted
[ ]	Better suited
[ ]	Better known

If an organism is better adapted, it can survive and pass on its genes (or new behaviour) to the next and future generations

The organisms which survive can then breed and pass on what?

[ ]	Their jeans
[ ]	Their pants
[x]	Their alleles
[ ]	Their trousers

Alleles are alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome

What did Lamark's theory of evolution state?

[ ]	That life evolved from apes
[x]	That the use of a feature allowed it to develop and be passed on and vice-versa
[ ]	That evolution caused changes to skip a generation
[ ]	That features could arise and then be lost

Knowledge of genetics was many years in the future. Without knowing about genes and inheritance, any theory of evolution is hard to understand and explain

Darwin's theory was not accepted at first because of objections by which organisation?

[ ]	The Government
[ ]	The People
[x]	The Church
[ ]	The Police

The press and other scientists were also very harsh towards Darwin's theory