What this topic covers
Topic 4: Natural selection and genetic modification has 4 subtopics:
- Variation and evolution
- The development of understanding of genetics and evolution
- Classification of living organisms
- Additional Edexcel Topic 4 anchors
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GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Biology · Topic 4 of 9
Topic 4: Natural selection and genetic modification – GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Biology revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Evolution, classification, selective breeding and genetic modification. 19 lessons in 4 subtopics.
Revise Topic 4: Natural selection and genetic modification for GCSE Edexcel Higher Combined Science Biology, including Variation and evolution.
19
Lessons
4
Subtopics
Topic 4: Natural selection and genetic modification lessons by subtopic
19 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Variation and evolution
- What is Evolution?
- How Evolution Works Through Natural Selection
- Formation of New Species
- What is Selective Breeding and How Does it Work?
- The Impact and Problems of Selective Breeding
- The Process of Genetic Engineering
- Applications of Genetic Engineering
- Benefits, Risks and Ethics of Genetic Engineering
The development of understanding of genetics and evolution
- Evidence for Evolution
- Darwin's Theory and Modern Evidence
- What are fossils and how are they formed?
- Fossils as evidence for evolution
- Understanding Extinction and Its Causes
- How Antibiotic Resistance Develops
- Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
Classification of living organisms
- The Three-Domain System
- The Linnaean Classification System
- Evolution of Classification and Evolutionary Trees
Additional Edexcel Topic 4 anchors
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Frequently asked questions
What is Topic 4: Natural selection and genetic modification?
Evolution, classification, selective breeding and genetic modification. 19 lessons in 4 subtopics.
What is MRSA?
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has evolved resistance to methicillin and many other commonly used antibiotics. The How Antibiotic Resistance Develops notes cover this in full.
What are genes?
Genes are sections of DNA that control the development of specific characteristics and are passed from parents to offspring. The Darwin's Theory and Modern Evidence notes cover this in full.
What is a fossil?
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived millions of years ago, found in rocks. The What are fossils and how are they formed? notes cover this in full.
When did the dodo go extinct?
The dodo went extinct in 1681, within 200 years of humans arriving on Mauritius. The Understanding Extinction and Its Causes notes cover this in full.
What is evolution?
Evolution is a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection, which may result in the formation of a new species. The What is Evolution? notes cover this in full.
What is the scientific name for humans?
The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens: Homo is the genus, written with a capital letter, and sapiens is the species, written in lowercase. The The Linnaean Classification System notes cover this in full.
What is natural selection?
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with characteristics that make them better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce successfully, passing these advantageous characteristics to their offspring. The What is Evolution? notes cover this in full.
How are fossils formed?
Fossils form in three main ways: from parts of organisms that have not decayed because conditions for decay were absent, through mineralisation where minerals gradually replace the original material, and as preserved traces such as footprints, burrows and root traces that fill with sediment and harden into rock. The What are fossils and how are they formed? notes cover this in full.