Let's learn more about Darwin's Idea of natural selection by playing a game.

Darwin's Evolution Game

• Click on
• List the three parts to Darwin's idea of natural selection.
• Once you have completed your notes about the three parts of natural selection play the survival game.
• After you play the game answer the questions below.

1. What were the three parts to Darwin's idea of natural selection?
   Check Your Answer 1 A. Every species exhibits variations
   
   B. Many traits are passed from parents to their offspring
   
   C. Life in the wild is competitive and organisms with the most beneficial traits will prosper. This is commonly known as survival of the fittest. Close
2. Were you able to keep your species alive for a million years? If not what caused your species to die?
   Check Your Answer 2 Possible answers:
   
   Temperature to hot or too cold (Lack of fur or too much fur)
   
   Species was not able to eat (berries were too high and my species were too short)
   
   Predator came and my species were not able to get away or hide
   
   Volcano erupted and my species was not able to run away Close
3. When you made your initial selection of variation among the species how did choosing different variations affect your species survival rate?
   Check Your Answer 3 The more variations the better the survival rate. Close
4. During the game you were given two "Life Preservers." What did these life preservers represent?
   Check Your Answer 4 Genetic Mutations Close
5. How do genetic mutations affect the survival of the species?
   Check Your Answer 5 Some genetic mutations can help species survive if the genetic mutation helps the species be better suited for the changing environment. Close
6. What does survival of the fittest mean?
   Check Your Answer 6 Individuals with adaptations that are well suited to their environment can survive and reproduce and pass on those adaptations to offspring. Close