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Questions and Answers
What is the primary outcome of natural selection?
What is the primary outcome of natural selection?
- Uniform characteristics among all offspring
- The extinction of all less adapted species
- Better adaptation of individuals to their environment (correct)
- Increased competition among all individuals
What factor contributes to the 'struggle for survival' in natural selection?
What factor contributes to the 'struggle for survival' in natural selection?
- Unlimited resources available in an environment
- Isolation of species in different environments
- Only genetic differences affecting reproduction
- Variations among individuals in a species (correct)
How did natural selection act on the peppered moth during the industrial era?
How did natural selection act on the peppered moth during the industrial era?
- Dark moths became more common due to pollution (correct)
- Lighter moths increased due to a decrease in predators
- The coloration of moths remained unchanged
- Dark moths faced more predation in polluted areas
What does 'fitness' refer to in the context of natural selection?
What does 'fitness' refer to in the context of natural selection?
Which aspect of natural selection involves the production of more offspring than the environment can support?
Which aspect of natural selection involves the production of more offspring than the environment can support?
What is the definition of variation in biology?
What is the definition of variation in biology?
Which of the following is an example of continuous variation?
Which of the following is an example of continuous variation?
What type of variation results in distinct categories?
What type of variation results in distinct categories?
Which of the following factors contributes to genetic variation?
Which of the following factors contributes to genetic variation?
How does continuous variation appear when graphed?
How does continuous variation appear when graphed?
Which of the following represents an example of environmental variation?
Which of the following represents an example of environmental variation?
Which of these traits is a result of genetic variation?
Which of these traits is a result of genetic variation?
What can cause phenotypic variation?
What can cause phenotypic variation?
Flashcards
Variation in Biology
Variation in Biology
Differences between individuals of the same species.
Continuous Variation
Continuous Variation
Traits with a range of values (e.g., height, weight).
Discontinuous Variation
Discontinuous Variation
Traits falling into distinct categories (e.g., blood type).
Genetic Variation
Genetic Variation
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Mutation
Mutation
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Environmental Variation
Environmental Variation
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Phenotypic Variation
Phenotypic Variation
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Gene Flow
Gene Flow
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Natural Selection
Natural Selection
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Survival of the Fittest
Survival of the Fittest
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Variation
Variation
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Adaptation
Adaptation
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Competition
Competition
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Study Notes
Variation in Biology
- Variation is the differences between individuals of the same species.
- Variation can be continuous or discontinuous.
- Continuous Variation: Traits that can take any value within a range (e.g., height, weight). Measurements are usually taken on a scale.
- Discontinuous Variation: Traits that fall into distinct categories (e.g., blood type, flower color).
Types of Variation
- Graphs of continuous variation data produce smooth bell curves, reflecting the small degrees of difference.
- Graphs of discontinuous variation data produce step-like shapes.
- Examples of continuous variation: height, mass, finger length.
- Examples of discontinuous variation: blood type (A, B, AB, O), gender (male/female), ability to roll tongue (yes/no).
Causes of Variation
- Genetic Variation: Differences in genes due to mutations, sexual reproduction, and gene flow.
- Environmental Variation: Differences caused by environmental factors like temperature, nutrition, sunlight (affecting plant growth), and diet (affecting animal size).
Natural Selection
- Organisms with best adaptive features are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- Individuals within a species show variation, resulting from differences in genes.
- When organisms reproduce, more offspring are produced than the environment can support leading to competition.
- Individuals best suited to their environments survive and reproduce more successfully.
- Alleles for advantageous characteristics are passed on at a higher rate.
- Eventually, there will be more individuals with better-adapted traits in subsequent generations.
- Natural selection is also known as "survival of the fittest."
Impact on Phenotype
- Environmental factors can affect the expression of traits.
- Examples include the effect of sunlight on plant growth and the influence of diet on animal size.
Phenotypic Variation
- Phenotype is determined by genetics and environment, together.
- Examples of genetic variation in humans: blood group, eye color, gender, ability to roll tongue.
Adaptations
- Adaptation is the process by which populations become better suited to their environment over generations, resulting from natural selection.
- Camouflage is an example of adaptation in prey species helping them avoid predators.
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