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Alfred Russel Wallace travelled around Malaysia during the 1800s and wrote to Charles Darwin about the animal species he studied - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 8
Alfred Russel Wallace travelled around Malaysia during the 1800s and wrote to Charles Darwin about the animal species he studied. His main conclusions were very sim... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Alfred Russel Wallace travelled around Malaysia during the 1800s and wrote to Charles Darwin about the animal species he studied - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Answer
The theory of evolution by natural selection explains how species change over time. It is based on several key points:
- Overproduction of Offspring: Organisms tend to produce more offspring than can survive, leading to competition for resources.
- Variation Among Offspring: Within a species, individuals exhibit variations in traits, often due to genetic mutations.
- Struggle for Existence: Due to limited resources, individuals must compete for survival, leading to a struggle for existence.
- Survival of the Fittest: Those individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to the next generation.
- Repeat Over Generations: This process repeats over many generations, gradually leading to the evolution of species.
Step 2
(i) Explain why having feathers that are less brightly coloured increases the survival rate of females.
Answer
Feathers that are less brightly coloured help female birds blend into their surroundings, making them less noticeable to potential predators. This camouflage reduces the risk of being seen and attacked, thus increasing the likelihood of survival. Consequently, females with less conspicuous feathers can evade predators more effectively, which leads to a higher chance of survival and successful reproduction.