Variation: In every group of living things, like a bunch of beetles, you can see differences in their traits. For example, some beetles might be green while others are brown. About 60% of these differences come from genes.
Inheritance: Parents pass traits down to their kids through genes. A scientist named Mendel found out that some traits can be strong (dominant) and others can be weak (recessive). When he crossed plants, he often saw a pattern of about 3 strong traits for every 1 weak trait.
Differential Survival and Reproduction: Some living things have traits that help them survive better and have more babies. Studies show that about 90% of all species that ever lived are now gone. This shows just how important it is for creatures to adapt to their surroundings.
Adaptation to Environment: Over time, the traits that help creatures survive become more common in the group. A well-known example is the peppered moth. In polluted areas, the number of dark-colored moths went from 1% to 95% in just a few decades because they blended in better with their dirty surroundings.
These ideas explain how evolution works and show us how species change and grow over time.
Variation: In every group of living things, like a bunch of beetles, you can see differences in their traits. For example, some beetles might be green while others are brown. About 60% of these differences come from genes.
Inheritance: Parents pass traits down to their kids through genes. A scientist named Mendel found out that some traits can be strong (dominant) and others can be weak (recessive). When he crossed plants, he often saw a pattern of about 3 strong traits for every 1 weak trait.
Differential Survival and Reproduction: Some living things have traits that help them survive better and have more babies. Studies show that about 90% of all species that ever lived are now gone. This shows just how important it is for creatures to adapt to their surroundings.
Adaptation to Environment: Over time, the traits that help creatures survive become more common in the group. A well-known example is the peppered moth. In polluted areas, the number of dark-colored moths went from 1% to 95% in just a few decades because they blended in better with their dirty surroundings.
These ideas explain how evolution works and show us how species change and grow over time.