This in-depth Biology PowerPoint lesson helps students understand how classification systems reflect evolutionary relationships. The lesson explains how DNA evidence, common ancestry, and evolutionary trees are used to determine how closely related organisms are.

🔬 What’s included:

• Clear learning objectives and success criteria
  
• Starter discussion comparing humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas
  
• Concept of a common ancestor
  
• Explanation of genetic similarity and DNA base sequences
  
• Introduction to evolutionary (phylogenetic) trees
  
• Definitions of:
  
  • Speciation
    
  • Ancestral organisms
    

• How classification systems have changed over time
  
  • Morphology and anatomy
    
  • Advances in microscopy and biochemistry
    
  • DNA sequencing
    

• Using DNA and protein sequences to classify organisms
  
• Evidence for evolution:
  
  • Comparative anatomy
    
  • Comparative embryology
    

• Discussion of rates of evolution
  
• Research homework task (Plasmodium & malaria)
  

Perfect for:
✔ KS3 /KS4
✔ Evolution and classification units
✔ Exam preparation and higher-order thinking
✔ Observation or discussion-based lessons