Natural selection occurs through a 5 step process: 1) Variation exists within populations, 2) Organisms compete for limited resources, 3) Organisms produce more offspring than can survive, 4) Genetic traits are passed to offspring, 5) Those organisms with traits most beneficial to survival and reproduction are more likely to survive and reproduce. The document also lists key terms related to biological evolution such as mass extinction, homologous structures, and vestigial structures.

1. 8.L.4.1
Biological Evolution
Sealey

2. Nerd Words
O Mass Extinction
O Analogous Structures
O Homologous Structures
O Vestigial Structures
O Natural Selection
O Genetic Variation
O Adaptation

3. Natural Selection
1
. Variation: There is Variation in Every
Population.
2. Competition: Organisms Compete for
limited resources.
3. Offspring: Organisms produce more
Offspring than can survive.
4. Genetics: Organisms pass Genetic traits on
to their offspring.
5. Natural Selection: Those organisms with
the Most Beneficial Traits are more likely to
Survive and Reproduce.
Natural Selection
The order is not that important. The fact that
all of the steps are intertwined IS important!

4. Competitio
n
genetics
Variation
Natural
Selection
Offspring

5. Who wants to live a million
years?
O http://science.discovery.com/games-and-
interactives/charles-darwin-game.htm
https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcoschools.us/
mr-volk-s-science-website/sciencecontent/inherited-change-natural-selection

6. Homology vs Analogy
O http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/arti
cle/similarity_ms_01