Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 1BI0 · Version from Sept 2016
4.1B Describe the work of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace in the…
Full specification wording
Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification: 4.1B Describe the work of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace in the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection and explain the impact of these ideas on modern biology
Darwin and Wallace independently proposed that organisms vary, that more offspring are produced than can survive, and that individuals with advantageous inherited variations are more likely to…
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1BI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 9
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Darwin and Wallace independently proposed that organisms vary, that more offspring are produced than can survive, and that individuals with advantageous inherited variations are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those variations on. Over many generations this changes populations: evolution by natural selection. Darwin gathered evidence on his voyage and from breeding, while Wallace reached similar conclusions from fieldwork, and their joint work brought the idea to public attention. The impact on modern biology is large: it explains the diversity of life and the fossil record, underpins classification and the study of antibiotic resistance and pesticide resistance, and guides modern medicine and conservation. It replaced the idea that species are fixed and unchanging.
What earns the marks
- Darwin and Wallace both proposed evolution by natural selection, with inherited variation, competition and differential survival and reproduction.
- Individuals with advantageous inherited variations survive and reproduce more, passing the variations to offspring, so populations change over generations.
- Darwin and Wallace developed these ideas independently and their work was presented jointly, bringing the theory to wider attention.
- The impact on modern biology includes explaining the diversity of life and the fossil record and underpinning classification.
- The theory underpins understanding of antibiotic resistance and pesticide resistance and informs medicine and conservation.
- The ideas replaced the view that species are fixed and unchanging.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying an individual evolves during its lifetime.
Put it right by explaining that populations change over generations as advantageous inherited variations become more common.
Crediting only Darwin: correct this by naming Wallace as an independent co-developer of the theory.
Treating natural selection as deliberate choice by organisms.
Put it right by describing differential survival and reproduction acting on inherited variation.
Ignoring the impact clause.
Put it right by giving a modern application such as antibiotic resistance or classification.
Exam tips
- Check whether the question asks you to describe the work or to explain the impact, and answer that part explicitly.
- Use the sequence variation, competition, survival, reproduction and inheritance to structure a natural-selection answer.
- Name a concrete modern application, such as antibiotic resistance, to earn impact marks.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification: 4.1B Describe the work of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace in the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection and explain the impact of these ideas on modern biology lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Darwin and Wallace both proposed a mechanism to explain how species change over time. Which mechanism did they propose?
Watch it explained
What is the one idea the video explains? Say it in a sentence.
Read the described scene instead
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace independently proposed evolution by natural selection. They argued that organisms vary, and that more offspring are produced than can survive. Individuals with advantageous inherited variations are more likely to survive and reproduce. The sequence is variation, competition, survival, reproduction and inheritance. Advantageous inherited variations become more common because those individuals reproduce more. Over many generations, this changes populations: that is evolution by natural selection. Darwin gathered evidence on his voyage and from breeding. Wallace reached similar conclusions from fieldwork. Their work was presented jointly, bringing the theory to wider attention. Neither man alone is the full story: Wallace independently co-developed the theory. The impact on modern biology is large. Natural selection explains the diversity of life and the fossil record, and it underpins classification. It also underpins understanding of antibiotic resistance and pesticide resistance, and it informs medicine and conservation. Do not say an individual evolves during its lifetime; populations change over generations. Do not credit only Darwin; Wallace independently co-developed the theory. Natural selection is not a deliberate choice by organisms. It is differential survival and reproduction acting on inherited variation. So, Darwin and Wallace independently proposed evolution by natural selection. Inherited variation, competition, differential survival and reproduction change populations over generations. The theory replaced the view that species are fixed, and it now guides classification, resistance studies, medicine and conservation.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification: 4.1B Describe the work of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace in the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection and explain the impact of these ideas on modern biology
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge