Evidence for Evolution (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy: Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 8464

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Dr Natalie Lawrence

Updated on

Evolution in bacteria

  • One very clear piece of evidence for evolution is antibiotic resistance in bacteria

  • Bacteria can reproduce very quickly, so it is possible to observe evolution in bacterial populations

    • Evolution in populations that reproduce slowly can take many decades

Evidence for Darwin's theory

  • Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is now widely accepted

  • Evidence for Darwin’s theory is now available as it has been shown that characteristics are passed on to offspring in genes

    • Our understanding of genetics has made clear the mechanism by which natural selection can occur

  • There is further evidence for evolution in the fossil record and our knowledge of how resistance to antibiotics evolves in bacteria

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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Content Creator

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Dr Natalie Lawrence

Reviewer: Dr Natalie Lawrence

Expertise: Content Writer

Natalie has a MCantab, Masters and PhD from the University of Cambridge and has tutored biosciences for 14 years. She has written two internationally-published nonfiction books, produced articles for academic journals and magazines, and spoken for TEDX and radio.