3.1.3—Biodiversity from evolution
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Objective
- 3.1.3
- Level
- HL
Place Evolution at the Population Scale
Evolution is inherited change in a population across generations, not an adjustment made by one individual during its lifetime.
Acclimatization can change an individual without changing inherited frequencies. Evolution is detected when descendants inherit a different trait or allele distribution.
A person tans in sunlight without evolving; a population becoming more UV-tolerant over generations may reflect evolution.
A heritable frequency shift between generations, not a short-term physiological response.
Individuals do not evolve to meet a need; populations change through inherited variation and selection.