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General resourcesVariation The differences between living things of the same species are called variation. Variation between species is always greater than variation within a species. Inherited variation is a characteristic that is a result of genetic inheritance; e.g. eye colour, hair colour and skin colour. Offspring might look a little like both parents, but will not be identical to either. This is because they have inherited features from both parents. Each egg cell and sperm cell contains half the genetic information needed for an individual. At fertilisation, these cells join and create an individual with all the genetic information that it requires.
Variety within a species Within any population of living organisms there will be inherited variations. Within each species the individuals with the variation best suited to the environment will survive better than the others. These survivors have a higher chance of reproducing. When they do reproduce, they pass on the genetic information for their variations to their offspring. Over time this is how species evolve. This process is what is known as natural selection. Over time a population can change so much it may even become a different species, unable to reproduce sexually with individuals of the original species. Key Scientists Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882)
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 - 1913)
Richard Owen (1804 – 1882)
FossilsThis video will help to remind children that fossils are like a postcard from the past, showing what life was around many years ago.
Images of fossils can be found here.
Often fossils that span many years but are related. The two web sites below will provide you with information about some of the ancestors of crocodiles.
Hook – The Piltdown Man hoaxIt can be difficult it is for scientists to find all the links; i.e. a particular animal showing a slight change in one of its features may never have been fossilised, or has been fossilised but has yet to be discovered. In the past this has meant that some people have tried to create the evidence. A very famous event to share with the children was called the Piltdown Man. The following web sites contain an account of what happened.
How are birds suited to survive in the habitat in which they live? 1. Birds of prey. The following video shows a couple of key feature of birds of prey that help them to survive
more details of different birds can be found here
How do different animals use camouflage to survive?The following videos are great examples of how different animals use camouflage to help them to survive:
Other adaptations |
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