Evolution
A collection of Catalyst articles about evolution.
Fantastic Fossils
A Catalyst article about encountering the fossils of the bones or shells of individual animals embedded in sedimentary rocks. This article looks at some extraordinary fossils of plants and animals preserved together in an ecosystem - it is even possible to see the cells of which they were made. The article also introduces the Rhynie chert, a sinter which has preserved a huge range of early land inhabiting organisms.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 17, Issue 2.
Evolution in the News
A Catalyst article looking at the evidence for evolution and which considers the ongoing conflict between scientists and creationists. The work of Charles Darwin is central to the article which summarises his theory of natural selection and also covers creation myths and creationists.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 3.
Celebrating Darwin
This Catalyst article looks at the celebrations surrounding the life and work of Charles Darwin. Darwin was born 200 years ago and the article looks at some of the activities surrounding the bicentenary and examines his work.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2009, Volume 19, Issue 4.
Charles Darwin at Down House
A Catalyst article looking at a day in the life of Charles Darwin at his home in Kent. Much of Charles Darwin’s life after his return from the Beagle voyage was spent at Down House in Kent. He moved here in September 1842 and the article describes the important work such as Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection and the dissections that were done in the study.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2009, Volume 19, Issue 4.
The Species that Changed the World
A Catalyst article describing the species that have had the greatest impact on planet Earth during its billions of years of history. Which come out on top of the 'league table of life'? As hominids have only walked the Earth for part of its existence the article looks at the history of life, from the dawn of evolution to the present day, as seen through the lens of 100 different life-forms.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2010, Volume 20, Issue 4.
Alfred Russel Wallace
This Catalyst article looks at the work of Alfred Russel Wallace who developed a theory of evolution in parallel with Charles Darwin; they published their findings jointly.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 2.
Pterosaurs - Flying Reptiles
This Catalyst article looks at the pterosaurs, which were flying reptiles, and which died out along with the dinosaurs.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2010, Volume 21, Issue 2.
What's in a Cell? *suitable for home teaching*
This Catalyst article explores the complex structure of cells, and numerous theories of how they were formed. It describes how the development of electron microscopes has allowed greater detail of cellular strutures and organelles to be understood.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2012, Volume 22, Issue 3.
Birth of an Orchid
This Catalyst article looks at orchids, their breeding, and why they have great commercial value.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2013, Volume 24, Issue 1.
Drosophila melanogaster
A Catalyst article about the fruit fly which has played a succession of key roles in developments in biological science over the last 100 years as a laboratory subject in genetics.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 17, Issue 2.
Flies, Weeds, Atom Bombs and Computers
This Catalyst article explores 'Biomodels', biological species which are increasingly well-understood and which have been chosen because they can help us to test new biological theories, particularly in the field of genetics.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 2.
The Peacock’s Tale: How Sexual Selection Works
This Catalyst article looks at sexual selection, a form of natural selection, and the role it plays in the evolution of many organisms.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2014, Volume 24, Issue 4.
Anything but Junk
This article discovers how geneticists are beginning to discover the significance of junk DNA.
The article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2015, Volume 25, Issue 4.
Down House
A Catalyst article about Charles Darwin's home and in particular his study which is open to the public. Visiting information is included in the article which puts into context the importance of this room in his work.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 3.
From small seeds to big yields
This Catalyst article looks at the process of domestication which led to a natural increase in traits such as grain size (increasing calories available), grain accessibility, an increased number of grains and the loss of a hard protective coating.
This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2016, Volume 26, Issue 3.
Life Beyond Earth
A Catalyst article investigating if there is life elsewhere in the universe. Scientists have found many different ways of looking for life. This article looks at the exploration so far.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2004, Volume 14, Issue 3.
Beagle Voyage
A Catalyst article about Darwin's travels on the Beagle which gave him ideas about evolution.
This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2009, Volume 19, Issue 4.