GCSE Biology: Understanding Evolution and Natural Selection

Science Quiz - Biology - Evolution (AQA) (Questions)

Evolution explains how species change over time. In GCSE Biology you explore variation, natural selection and how new species can form from earlier ancestors.

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Fascinating Fact:

Isolation splits populations. Over time separate groups can become different species.

In GCSE Biology (AQA), you study how evolution is driven by variation, competition and natural selection. You also look at evidence from fossils, DNA and how new species can arise.

Key Terms

Evolution: The gradual change in species over many generations.
Natural selection: When individuals with useful characteristics survive and reproduce more successfully.
Speciation: The formation of a new species from an existing one over time.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is evolution in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, evolution is defined as the gradual change in the inherited characteristics of a population over many generations, leading to the development of new forms of life.

How does natural selection cause evolution?

Natural selection causes evolution when individuals with advantageous characteristics survive, reproduce and pass on their alleles. Over time, these alleles become more common in the population.

What is speciation and what factors can lead to it?

Speciation is the formation of new species when populations become separated and their gene pools diverge. Different mutations, selection pressures and limited interbreeding can all contribute to this process.

Try These Related Quizzes

What is the timescale needed for evolution according to Darwin's theory?

[ ]	A few years
[ ]	A few hundreds of years
[ ]	Several thousand years
[ ]	Millions of years

Which one of the following provides strong evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution?

[ ]	Fossils
[ ]	Living creatures
[ ]	Records made by naturalists in the 19th Century
[ ]	Books

Darwin's theory was not widely accepted when he published it in 1859. Which one of the following is not a reason why scientists at the time rejected it?

[ ]	It conflicted with religious views
[ ]	Darwin had little evidence
[ ]	Other scientists were jealous of Darwin
[ ]	No-one knew how variation and inheritance worked

Which organisms are most likely to survive long enough to reproduce?

[ ]	Ones which are badly adapted to their environment
[ ]	Ones which are well adapted to their environment
[ ]	The biggest ones
[ ]	The smallest ones

According to Darwin, new species evolve by which process?

[ ]	Unnatural selection
[ ]	Artificial selection
[ ]	Premium selection
[ ]	Natural selection

Which of the following is true?

[ ]	Environmental variation is inherited
[ ]	Variation can not be inherited
[ ]	Genetic variation is inherited
[ ]	Genetic variation is not inherited

Why did Lamarck's theory of evolution fall out of favour?

[ ]	It can't explain why simple organisms continue to exist
[ ]	It is based on genetic variation
[ ]	It is older than Darwin's and therefore out of date
[ ]	Scientists forgot about it

Before the Industrial Revolution most peppered moths were pale, but there was a mutant form which had dark colouration - the black peppered moth. During the Industrial Revolution, in cities the mutant black peppered moth became more numerous. Which of the following statements could explain why?

[ ]	White peppered moths are bigger
[ ]	Dark peppered moths are bigger
[ ]	White peppered moths are easier to see on dirty tree bark
[ ]	Dark peppered moths are easier to see on dirty tree bark

Why is the evolutionary record of the horse so well documented?

[ ]	They started small and evolved to become larger
[ ]	There is a very good fossil record
[ ]	It is a popular animal
[ ]	Only one scientist has ever worked on it

10.

Which of the following is an example of rapid evolution caused by mutation?

[ ]	Dinosaurs
[ ]	Dogs
[ ]	Antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals
[ ]	Humans

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

Science Quiz - Biology - Evolution (AQA) (Answers)

What is the timescale needed for evolution according to Darwin's theory?

[ ]	A few years
[ ]	A few hundreds of years
[ ]	Several thousand years
[x]	Millions of years

Darwin believed that evolution took place very slowly in complex plants and animals. It is possible to see evolution happening over much shorter time periods when you look at simple organisms like bacteria

Which one of the following provides strong evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution?

[x]	Fossils
[ ]	Living creatures
[ ]	Records made by naturalists in the 19th Century
[ ]	Books

Human fossils from 7 million years ago have been found. Early humans are called 'hominids' and were smaller than modern humans, with much smaller brains but they walked upright on two legs

Darwin's theory was not widely accepted when he published it in 1859. Which one of the following is not a reason why scientists at the time rejected it?

[ ]	It conflicted with religious views
[ ]	Darwin had little evidence
[x]	Other scientists were jealous of Darwin
[ ]	No-one knew how variation and inheritance worked

Darwin was ridiculed by the press and some of the leading scientists of the time as they did not like the idea that they were descended from the apes

Which organisms are most likely to survive long enough to reproduce?

[ ]	Ones which are badly adapted to their environment
[x]	Ones which are well adapted to their environment
[ ]	The biggest ones
[ ]	The smallest ones

Well adapted individuals survive longer and will have more offspring

According to Darwin, new species evolve by which process?

[ ]	Unnatural selection
[ ]	Artificial selection
[ ]	Premium selection
[x]	Natural selection

Negative characteristics that are passed on to offspring gradually disappear from the gene pool as the organisms that carry them do not survive long enough to have many offspring

Which of the following is true?

[ ]	Environmental variation is inherited
[ ]	Variation can not be inherited
[x]	Genetic variation is inherited
[ ]	Genetic variation is not inherited

Variation is carried by the genes and is therfore inherited. Environmental variation occurs after birth and is not recorded on the genes so cannot be passed from parent to offspring

Why did Lamarck's theory of evolution fall out of favour?

[x]	It can't explain why simple organisms continue to exist
[ ]	It is based on genetic variation
[ ]	It is older than Darwin's and therefore out of date
[ ]	Scientists forgot about it

According to Lamarck's theory, evolution creates more and more complexity therefore simple life like bacteria and amoeba should not exist

[ ]	White peppered moths are bigger
[ ]	Dark peppered moths are bigger
[x]	White peppered moths are easier to see on dirty tree bark
[ ]	Dark peppered moths are easier to see on dirty tree bark

This question is about camouflage. Air pollution from the Industrial Revolution made trees near factories dirty. Factories were built in urban areas so the first two options can be dismissed as size is not related to the colour mutation. Even if you haven't come across peppered moths in your lessons, you should be able to work out that white ones would poorly camouflaged against a dirty tree bark meaning that they are more likely to be spotted and eaten by predators