MDCAT · CHAPTER 7
Evolution
Separate historical explanations from modern evolutionary reasoning and follow how heritable variation changes populations.
Your study notes
01 / LESSON
Build the explanation.
- Distinguish Lamarck's mechanism from Darwin's natural selection.
- Explain variation, selection pressure and differential reproduction.
- Connect evidence from fossils, homology, biogeography and molecular data.
02 / NOTES
The essentials, in one place.
- Populations evolve; individuals are selected within a generation.
- Lamarck proposed acquired inheritance, while Darwin emphasised selection of heritable variation.
- Natural selection changes variant frequencies through differential reproduction.
- Fossil, anatomical, geographic and molecular evidence support common descent.
03 / ACTIVITY
Test the idea by changing something.
Predict the result first, run the activity, then explain what changed and why.
04 / DIAGRAM
Make the connections visible.
Individuals differ in heritable traits.
The environment affects survival and reproduction.
Some variants leave more offspring.
Associated alleles become more common.
Cover the labels, redraw the sequence or comparison, and explain each connection aloud.
See diagrams in the full explanation ↗05 / QUIZ
Retrieve before you reread.
Build a timed test from this chapter’s 100 practice questions. Questions and options are shuffled; missed answers feed your revision notebook.
Original practice items, including related concept variants; not official examination questions.06 / REVISION SHEET
Take the chapter away with you.
A print-friendly sheet brings together the learning targets, key points, concept diagram, written recall prompts and applied MCQs. Add the answer key when you are ready to check.
Print / save the chapter sheet ↗