1. Variation
Every group of animals or plants has individuals that are different from one another. This can be in size, color, or other traits. For example, some rabbits might be light brown while others are dark brown.
2. Inheritance
Traits are passed down from parents to their young. So, if a rabbit's parent has long legs, the baby rabbit might also have long legs.
3. Natural Selection
Nature tends to favor traits that help animals survive and reproduce. For example, faster rabbits can escape from predators better than slower rabbits, so they are more likely to live and have babies.
4. Adaptation
As time goes by, groups of animals or plants slowly change to fit their surroundings better. Think about a type of fish developing special colors to help it hide in the water.
5. Speciation
New species can form when groups of animals or plants become separated and evolve differently over a long time. For example, finches on the Galápagos Islands changed in different ways because they lived in different environments.
1. Variation
Every group of animals or plants has individuals that are different from one another. This can be in size, color, or other traits. For example, some rabbits might be light brown while others are dark brown.
2. Inheritance
Traits are passed down from parents to their young. So, if a rabbit's parent has long legs, the baby rabbit might also have long legs.
3. Natural Selection
Nature tends to favor traits that help animals survive and reproduce. For example, faster rabbits can escape from predators better than slower rabbits, so they are more likely to live and have babies.
4. Adaptation
As time goes by, groups of animals or plants slowly change to fit their surroundings better. Think about a type of fish developing special colors to help it hide in the water.
5. Speciation
New species can form when groups of animals or plants become separated and evolve differently over a long time. For example, finches on the Galápagos Islands changed in different ways because they lived in different environments.