GCSE Biology - Variation and Evolution #68

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Genetic and environmental factors influence an organism's phenotype, with mutations in DNA potentially leading to advantageous traits through natural selection. Over time, these adaptations can result in the evolution of new species as populations diverge and cannot interbreed, supporting Darwin's theory of evolution.

Insights

  • Genetic variations and mutations play a crucial role in shaping an organism's observable traits, with genes interacting with the environment to determine phenotypes. Most characteristics are influenced by a combination of genetic factors and external conditions, highlighting the intricate relationship between nature and nurture in defining an individual's traits.
  • Natural selection, as observed by Charles Darwin, drives the evolutionary process by favoring advantageous mutations that enhance an organism's survival and reproduction. This mechanism leads to the gradual divergence of populations within a species, eventually resulting in the formation of new species over time, showcasing the transformative power of genetic changes in shaping biodiversity.

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Recent questions

  • What causes variations in observable characteristics?

    Genetic and environmental differences lead to variations.

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Summary

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Genetic variations drive evolution through natural selection.

  • Genetic and environmental differences among individuals lead to variations in phenotypes, which are observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genes and the environment. Genes code for proteins, and mutations in the DNA can lead to changes in proteins, affecting an organism's phenotype. Most traits are influenced by a combination of genes and environmental factors.
  • Mutations in genes can result in beneficial changes, making individuals more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on these advantageous genes to the next generation. Charles Darwin observed this phenomenon, naming it natural selection, where the fittest individuals are more likely to survive and pass on their traits. Over time, this process can lead to the evolution of new species.
  • Evolution occurs through natural selection, where genetic changes lead to phenotypes best suited to the environment. Eventually, populations within a species may diverge so significantly that they can no longer interbreed, resulting in the formation of a new species. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has been proven through various examples, such as antibiotic resistance in bacteria and fossil records.
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