evolution and natural selection

what is the theory of evolution

life began as simple organisms from which more complex organisms evolved

what does natural selection mean

survival of the fittest

who came up with this natural selection idea

Charles Darwin

what things did Darwin know

knew that organisms show variation in their characteristics

knew that resources that organisms need to survive are limited an they would have to compete to survive

concluded that organisms with the most suitable characteristics for the environment would be more successful competitors and a more high chance of survival

successful organisms will then have an increased chance of breeding, passing on their genes

this means that a greater proportion of individuals in the next generation will have the better alleles, making the offspring in the next generation survive.

The characteristics will keep on being passed on, increasing survival rates making it common in the population. Speciies will adapt to its environment.

what happens to the survival rate when an individual is in an environment that is less suited

the survival rate decreases so there will be less chance of passing their alleles on.