The survival of the fittest | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Match the species to the habitat it is best adapted to survive in.
- polar bear
  
  ⇔
  
  very cold, snowy environment ✓
- cactus
  
  ⇔
  
  very dry, hot environment ✓
- earthworm
  
  ⇔
  
  cool, damp soil ✓
- orca
  
  ⇔
  
  cold, underwater environment ✓
What is the name of this scientist who observed differences in species of birds living on the Galápagos Islands in the 1800s?
- 'Charles Darwin' ✓
A generation of a species is …
- the date the species first came into existence.
- the amount of time it takes a plant or animal to complete a full life cycle.
- all of the species born and living around the same time. ✓
How do living things get their adaptations?
- They show each other how to adapt.
- They are passed from one generation of a species to another. ✓
- They learn to adapt as they become older.
Which of these statements about offspring is not correct?
- Offspring are created by reproduction.
- Offspring are always alike to their parents in every way. ✓
- Both plants and animals can have offspring.
- Offspring usually vary and are not exactly the same as their parents.
Offspring usually look similar, but not identical to, their parents. What are these differences known as?
- variation ✓
- adaptation
- reproduction

Exit quiz

Which scientist suggested a theory about how living things change over time?
- Isaac Newton
- Mary Anning
- Charles Darwin ✓
- Jane Goodall
- David Attenborough
Which of these statements is correct?
- All living things in a species are equally as likely to survive as each other.
- All living things must help others in their species in order to survive.
- Some living things are more likely to survive than others in their species. ✓
Living things that survive longer are more likely to ______ and pass their favourable characteristics on to their offspring.
- 'reproduce' ✓
What does ‘survival of the fittest’ mean?
- Organisms that are better adapted are most likely to survive and reproduce. ✓
- Organisms that have had the most exercise are the most likely to reproduce.
- More healthy animals and plants will survive longer.
Which adaptations are generally passed on through several generations of offspring?
- The strongest and most useful adaptations. ✓
- The weakest and least useful adaptations.
- The most unusual adaptations.
Why is the dark coloured moth the most fit to survive in a habitat with lots of dark coloured tree trunks?
- It can fly faster.
- It can hide better from predators. ✓
- It is easy to see in daylight.
- It is the most healthy.

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Charles Darwin suggested that all the kinds of living things that exist today developed from earlier types.
Some animals and plants are more likely to survive than others.
Living things that survive can reproduce to pass on characteristics to their offspring.
The most useful and strongest adaptations are passed on to enable the next generation of plants or animals to survive.
Survival of the fittest means organisms that are better adapted to their habitat are most likely to survive & reproduce.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that the ‘fittest’, as in ‘survival of the fittest’, means the most physically fit or healthy, rather than the most suited to the environment and conditions.

Using the examples in the slide deck, clearly explain that when we refer to the ‘fittest’ living things surviving, we mean those that are best suited to the conditions they are living in.

Keywords

Charles darwin - Charles Darwin was an English scientist who studied nature.
Adaptation - An adaptation is a feature of a plant or animal that helps them to survive in their habitat.
Offspring - Living things create offspring when they reproduce.
Survive - To survive means to continue to stay alive.
Reproduce - When living things reproduce they create their offspring.