Biology - 0610 CIE

Selection

Overview

Why do bacteria stop responding to antibiotics? Why do farm animals and crops look so different from their wild ancestors? The answer to both is selection: in nature the environment does the choosing, while in farming humans do. The same basic mechanism, some individuals leaving more offspring than others, drives both.

In this lesson you will describe natural selection step by step, describe and apply selective breeding to crops and livestock, and (for Extended) define adaptation, explain antibiotic resistance as natural selection in action, and contrast natural with artificial selection.

Objectives

  1. Describe natural selection with reference to: (a) genetic variation within populations (b) production of many offspring (c) s truggle for survival, including competition for resources (d) a greater chance of reproduction by individuals that are better adapted to the environment than others (e) these individuals pass on their alleles to the next generation
  2. Describe selective breeding with reference to: (a) selection by humans of individuals with desirable features (b) crossing these individuals to produce the next generation (c) selection of offspring showing the desirable features
  3. Outline how selective breeding by artificial selection is carried out over many generations to improve crop plants and domesticated animals and apply this to given contexts
  4. [Supplement] Describe adaptation as the process, resulting from natural selection, by which populations become more suited to their environment over many generations
  5. [Supplement] Describe the development of strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria as an example of natural selection
  6. [Supplement] Outline the differences between natural and artificial selection

Lesson Note

Selection explains evolution, the rise of antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs', and how we get high-yielding crops and productive livestock. It is one of the most heavily examined ideas in biology, and questions reward a clear, ordered chain of reasoning rather than vague phrases like 'survival of the fittest'.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Selection. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. In natural selection, the individuals most likely to pass on their alleles are those that are: A. the largest B. best adapted to their environment C. born first D. selected by humans Answer: B
  2. Selective breeding is best described as selection carried out by: A. the environment B. humans C. predators D. chance alone Answer: B
  3. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria first arises by: A. the antibiotic teaching the bacteria B. a chance mutation C. bacteria choosing to resist D. selective breeding Answer: B
  4. Which is a disadvantage of selective breeding over many generations? A. it increases variation B. it reduces genetic variation C. it is very fast D. it removes humans from the process Answer: B
  5. A key difference between natural and artificial selection is that artificial selection is carried out by: A. the environment B. humans C. mutation D. predators Answer: B

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Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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