Year 5/6: Evolution and Inheritance Knowledge Mat
Subject Specific Vocabulary
Evolution
The process by which different kinds of living organism are believed
to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
Inheritance
This is when characteristics are passed onto offspring of their parents.
Variation
The difference between individuals within a species.
Characteristi
cs
The distinguishing features or qualities that are specific to a species.
Adaptation
An adaptation is a trait (or characteristic) changing to increase a
living thing’s chances of surviving and reproducing.
Habitat
The natural home or environment of a plant, animal or organism.
Environment
The surroundings or particular geographical area in which an animal,
plant or organism lives or operates.
Offspring
The young animal or plant that is produced by the reproduction of
that species.
Natural
selection
Plants and animals that have adapted to their environment are
more likely to survive – this is an example of natural selection.
Fossil
The remains (or an impression of) a prehistoric plant or animal which
has been embedded in rock.
Adaptive
traits
How a plant or animal has adapted to survive. Adaptations could
be in their behaviour or be physical.
Inherited
traits
Traits or characteristics which have been inherited from parents. For
example if one of your parents has blonde hair you are likely to have
blonde hair.
Key Knowledge you must know by the
end of the topic
-Know
that Charles Darwin introduced evolutionary
ideas within the Victorian era, these were developed
over time to explain how human evolution has occurred
-Know that evolution and adaptation is not a uniform
process for all living things
-Know that selective and crossbreeding creates
adaptations