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 similar to those of Charles Darwin and they both contributed to the current understanding of evolution. (a) Describe the theory of evolution by natural selection. (3) (b) Wallace and Darwin did not always agree. Darwin believed that male birds have feathers that are brightly coloured to make them more attractive to female birds. Wallace thought that female birds have feathers that are less brightly coloured so they are more likely to survive. (i) Explain why having feathers that are less brightly coloured increases the survival rate of females. (2)

GCSE Edexcel Biology Evolution: Alfred Russel Wallace travelled

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

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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.

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Answer

The theory of evolution by natural selection explains how species adapt over time. It involves several key concepts:

Overproduction of Offspring: Many organisms tend to produce more offspring than the environment can support, leading to competition for resources.
Variation Among Individuals: Within a species, individuals exhibit variations in traits or characteristics due to genetic differences.
Struggle for Existence: Individuals must compete for limited resources such as food and shelter, which leads to a natural selection process.
Survival of the Fittest: Individuals with traits that better suit them to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This results in the pass on of favorable traits to future generations.
Repeated Over Generations: Over many generations, these adaptive traits become more common in the population, leading to gradual changes in the species.

Step 2

Explain why having feathers that are less brightly coloured increases the survival rate of females.

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Answer

Having feathers that are less brightly coloured helps female birds blend into their surroundings, making them less visible to predators. This camouflage reduces the likelihood of being spotted and eaten, thus increasing their chances of survival. Furthermore, by being less noticeable, females can focus on nurturing their young without the constant threat of predation.

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

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

Describe the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Explain why having feathers that are less brightly coloured increases the survival rate of females.

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