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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 Evolution

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 Evolution

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on May 13, 2025 11:22 AM IST | #CBSE Class 12th

Evolution helps students understand how life began and how it has changed over time. Chapter 6 talks about how the origin of life was a special event in the universe, leading to the development of all living things, including humans. One experiment discussed is the Miller-Urey experiment, which shows how life may have started on Earth. The chapter also explains how scientists use fossils, body structures, embryos, and genetic information as evidence to show that simple organisms slowly changed into more complex ones. Students will also learn about Darwin's theory of natural selection and ideas which help explain how evolution works.

This Story also Contains
  1. NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Biology Evolution PDF
  2. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 (Solved Exercise Questions)
  3. Most Important Questions of Class 12 Biology Chapter 6
  4. Approach to Solve Questions of Class 12 Chapter 6 Evolution
  5. What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?
  6. NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology- Chapter-wise
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 Evolution
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 Evolution

The Evolution NCERT Solutions class 12 offers questions and answers based on the chapter. If you need detailed answers for other classes (6–12), NCERT solutions are available. By studying the Evolution of organisms in NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology, students can easily understand each principle and process, as they are explained in detail, step by step, by the subject experts.

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Biology Evolution PDF

The free PDF is given below. Going through this gives you a clear understanding of how life evolves.

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Also Read, related to the evolution NCERT
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NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 6 (Solved Exercise Questions)

From here students can have detailed and clear solutions for the exercise questions given in the textbook to have more knowledge about the topic.

Question 1. Explain antibiotic resistance observed in bacteria in light of Darwinian selection theory.

Answer:

Darwinian selection theory indicates that organisms with variations have high chances of surviving and reproducing in a changing environment. A classic example of this can be seen with antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In this experiment, bacteria grown in an environment containing penicillin were mostly killed, but those having genetic variations survived. These surviving bacteria then multiplied and reproduced, passing down their resistance genes. As time passed, the population evolved to be more resistant to penicillin, indicating how environmental factors can influence evolutionary outcomes.

Question2.. Find out from newspapers and popular science articles any new fossil discoveries or controversies about evolution.

Answer:

  • In September 2015 in the newspapers, we heard the discovery of 100 million-year-old pieces of a skeleton of Homo naledi.

  • This was a newly discovered human species represented by a jawbone found in South Africa by John Hawks.

  • It is said that the fossil filled a gap in the early evolution of man, and it is believed that this human ancestor buried its death.


Question 3. Attempt to give a clear definition of the term species.

Answer:

  • A species represents the lowest taxonomic group that has similar structural and functional features and is capable of breeding true among themselves.

  • A species consists of all individuals that share a common gene pool.

  • The study of these species plays an important role in evolutionary research, ecology, and conservation biology.


Question 4. Try to trace the various components of human evolution (hint: brain size and function, skeletal structure, dietary preference, etc.)

Answer:

There are several components associated with human evolution, such as brain size, function, skeletal structure, diet, posture, etc.

Below is the table of different features:

Genus/species

Brain size

Posture

Diet

Features

Dryopithecus

-

Knuckle walker

Soft fruits and leaves

Frontally broadened jaws, large canines, arms, and legs of equal size

Ramapithecus

-

Semi-erect posture

Seeds and nuts

Small and delicate jaws, small canines, and flattened molars

Australopithecus afarensis

600cm3

Fully erect

Fruits and leaves (herbivores)

Large jaws, small canines, and incisors lived in caves

Homo habilis(Handyman)

680cm3

Fully erect, around 1.5m tall

Carnivorous

Jaws lightly built, small canines and capable of making tools of stone

Homo erectus

900cm3

Fully erect, around 1.5m tall

omnivorous

Large canines make use of fire for hunting and cooking and live in caves

Homo sapiens neanderthalnsis

1450cm3

1.5 m tall, heavily built

omnivorous

Heavy jaw and small canines bury their dead bodies

Homo sapiens fossilis

1660cm3

Completely erect,1.5m tall

omnivorous

Shorter skulls and reduced jaws lived in caves and made cave paintings.

Homo sapiens sapiens

1200cm3 to 1600cm3

Completely erect, posture, around.8m tall

omnivorous

Possess the high intelligence, developed language, speech, and cultivation of crops observed.


Question 5. Find out through the internet and popular science articles whether animals other than man has self-consciousness.

Answer:

Self-consciousness is an acute sense of self-awareness. Several animals are self-aware and are of great intelligence like dolphins. All great apes(orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees) and elephants are some examples that can evaluate their knowledge and work according to situations.

Question 6. List 10 modern-day animals and using the internet resources link it to a corresponding ancient fossil. Name both.

Answer:

Some modern animals and fossils to which they can be linked are as follows:


Name of the animal

Name of the fossils

1.

Human(Homo sapiens)

Ramapithecus

2.

Giraffe

Palaeotragus

3.

Tetrapods

Ichthyostega

4.

Fish

Arandaspis

5.

Dog

Leptocyon

6.

Horse

Eohippus

7.

Whale

Protocetus

8.

Bat

Archaeonycteris

9.

Elephant

Moerithers

10.

Camel

Protylopus

Question 7. Practise drawing various animals and plants.

Answer:

By practicing the various plants and animals, you can understand the main characteristic features of that species. Students can take the help of teachers and parents, to gain more suggestions about the labeled drawings.

Question 8. Describe one example of adaptive radiation.

Answer:

  • The process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area, starting from a point and radiating to other areas of geography, is called adaptive radiation.

  • Darwin’s finches represent one of the best examples of this phenomenon. From the original seed-eating features, many other forms with different beak structures and different food habits, such as herbivores and carnivores

  • Several marsupials, each different from the other evolved from an ancestral stock, but all within the Australian Island continent.


Question 9. Can we call human evolution adaptive radiation?

Answer:

The evolution of man is an example of directional evolution and not an example of adaptive radiation, as adaptive radiation is the process of diversification of species starting from one point at a particular time and then radiating to other areas of habitats. Darwin’s finches are the best example of adaptive radiation, as is the phenomenon of Australian marsupials. Diversification, which is the main characteristic of adaptive radiation, is not a part of human evolution.

Question 10. tUsing various resources such as your school library or the internet and discussions with your teacher, trace the evolutionary stages of any one animal, say a horse.

Answer:

There are 5 evolutionary stages of horses, which are given below:

Period

Name of the evolutionary stage

Features of the animal

Eocene

Eohippus

4 digits in forelimbs, the size of a fox, lived on soft ground

Oligocene

Mesohippus

3 digits in toes, live in dry conditions

Miocene

Merychippus

It was 100 cm tall with 3 toes on each foot, taller with a longer neck

Pliocene

Pilohippus

It had a single functional toe and was about 108 cm tall.

Pleistocene

Equus

They have one toe on each foot. Premolars replaced by molars, well adapted for running.


NCERT Solutions for Class 12- Subject wise

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Most Important Questions of Class 12 Biology Chapter 6

Evolution covers some of the most fundamental concepts in understanding how life on Earth has changed over time. To help you grasp these key ideas, here are the most important questions that can guide your study and improve your understanding of evolution.

Question 1: Given below are some stages of human evolution.
Arrange them in the correct sequence. (Past to Recent)

A. Homo habilis
B. Homo sapiens
C. Homo neanderthalensis
D. Homo erectus

Choose the correct sequence of human evolution from the options given below:

1. D-A-C-B

2. B-A-D-C

3. C-B-D-A

4. A-D-C-B

Answer:

The right sequence of human evolution is Homo habilis, then Homo erectus, then Homo neanderthalensis, and finally Homo sapiens. Homo habilis was the first human who used tools, while Homo erectus demonstrated a more efficient gait and a larger brain.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4), A-D-C-B

Also, check NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus here

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Approach to Solve Questions of Class 12 Chapter 6 Evolution

  • Firstly, it's important to go through the NCERT textbook line by line as most of the questions come from that directly in the exam.
  • Understand Lamarckism, Darwinism, natural selection, Genetic Drift, Hardy-Weinberg principle, etc, by writing down the important points of these theories.
  • Try to grasp these theories by taking the help of examples like the giraffe (Lamarck), the peppered moth (natural selection), and Darwin’s finches (adaptive radiation).
  • Make the flow charts to learn the sequence of the origin of humans and their features.
  • Previous year papers, different exercises given in the exemplar, students are advised to solve them so that they get an understanding of how to approach questions in the exam.

NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Solutions

What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?

Going beyond the NCERT syllabus can provide you an extra help in NEET. It helps you cover areas that may not be included in the textbook but are still important for the exam.


The chapter helps you deeply understand how life began billions of years ago, and also the evidence of evolution that supports the theories of famous scientists. Completing all the solved exercises, students can improve their exam performance and gain clarity on complex topics like natural selection, adaptive radiation with examples, and the Hardy-Weinberg principle. The simple explanation by our experts allows students to learn about our ancestors and how they evolved.

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology- Chapter-wise

Given below are the chapter-wise links:


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the important topics of evolution ncert?

The important topics of evolution NCERT Class 12 are:

  • Origin of Life    
  • Evolution of Life Forms – A Theory   
  • What are the Evidences for Evolution?   
  • What is Adaptive Radiation?   
  • Biological Evolution   
  • Mechanism of Evolution   
  • Hardy-Weinberg Principle   
  • A Brief Account of Evolution   
  • Origin and Evolution of Man 
2. How does Darwin’s theory explain evolution in Class 12 Biology?

Darwin’s theory of natural selection is based on the following five fundamental principles:

  • Enormous fertility in living beings

  • Struggle for existence

  • Variations under nature

  • Natural selection or survival of the fittest

  • Origin of species

3. What is the difference between Darwinism and Lamarckism?

                 Lamarckism

                 Darwinism

The growth of living organisms and their parts continuously

Enormous fertility in living beings


New organs are formed as the result of need

Struggle for existence

Use and disuse

Variations under nature

Inheritance of acquired characters

Survival of the fittest

Example- Feet of modern horse

Example- Giraffe’s neck

4. What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle in Class 12 Biology Chapter 6?

The Hardy-Weinberg principle provides a simple mathematical model of how genetic equilibrium is maintained in a gene pool. Five factors are known to affect the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

5. What are the different types of natural selection?

There are three types of natural selection, which are given below:

Directional selection- It favors one extreme of a trait, due to which the population shifts to one side. Example- Giraffe neck

Stabilizing selection only favors the intermediate trait of one character; thus, it reduces the variation in a population. Example - Human birth weight.

Disruptive selection- This type of selection favors both the extremes of a trait and leads to the formation of two different groups. Example- Beaks of birds.

6. How do fossils provide evidence of evolution?

Fossils are relics of former living plants or animals that are embedded in the dugout of rock in past geological periods. They are mostly found in sedimentary rocks.

Fossil records provide a complete history of certain organisms that indicate that evolution has taken place for several years.

7. What is the role of genetic drift in evolution?

Genetic drift describes changes in gene frequency, and these changes are due to events that are unrelated to the inherited traits. 

Genetic drift tends to reduce the amount of genetic variation within the population, mainly as a result of the loss of the alleles, and thus plays an important role in evolution.

8. What are the key differences between homologous and analogous organs?

          Homologous organs

            Analogous organs

Organs that are different in function but of similar origin and development are known as homologous organs.

Analogous organs are those that perform the same function but are of different origin.

Homologous organs are a result of divergent evolution.

Analogous organs are a result of convergent evolution.

Example- the arm of a man, the leg of a horse, and the wing of a bird 

Example: Tendrils of vine and pea

9. How does speciation occur, according to Chapter 6 of NCERT Biology?

Speciation is the process by which new species are formed. Each species is a gene pool that is adjusted in the given environment.

10. What are the different types of evolution explained in NCERT Class 12?

Two types of evolution exist in the environment:

Convergent evolution- This evolution is the result of analogous organs, and the phenomenon is known as analogy.

Divergent evolution- Divergent evolution occurs due to the result of homologous organs, and the process is known as homology.

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A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

How many moles of magnesium phosphate, Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

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