Name_______________________

This worksheet is meant to support the material that should have been
covered in the free response question about Darwin’s theory and
speciation. Please answer all of the following to the best of your
ability. I await your rich discussions of each aspect of Darwin’s
theory (i.e.d you better make it good)!

This is due first thing Tuesday morning.

Please explain the role of each of the following as they relate to the
theory of evolution by natural selection:

1. Over-reproduction- Too many babies are born. Crowds up the

environment, spreading food sources. Lack of food means organisms
start to starve and die

2. Variation- Variation in the genes and alleles of a population.

Allows for more types of species to form, due to the different effects of
the variation in the genes. Allows for more types of genetic melding.

3. Limited Resources- Lack of resources means only the organisms

with the abilities to obtain these limited resources will survive and
produce offspring capable of surviving.

4. Competition- Different species or organisms in a population

competing for essential needs. Only the ones able to obtain these
needs survive and reproduce, creating offspring capable of competing
for the essential needs

5. Fitness- The animals with the best level of fitness survive, while
the ones who cant hang die off

6. The pace of evolution- The natural pace in which mother nature

decides that evolution undergoes.

7. Population- A group of organisms

8. Artificial Selection- Natural selection caused by humans. Causes

unnatural changes in a species that might not fit into the scheme of
life, throwing it out of whack.