112 Questions
What is the term used to describe the interaction between alleles at different loci?
Epistasis
Which type of trait tends to vary continuously among individuals?
Polygenic traits
What generates genetic variation by mixing alleles?
Recombination
In quantitative genetics, what is the term for the mixing and matching of alleles?
Linkage equilibrium
Which type of traits have a complex genetic basis influenced by many genetic loci?
Polygenic traits
What occurs if the occurrence of an allele at one locus is nonrandomly associated with another locus?
Linkage disequilibrium
What does linkage disequilibrium in cats reflect?
Breed history
Which method links traits with genes through the study of genomic regions?
Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis
What is primarily identified by Genome-wide association studies (GWAS)?
Variants and genomic regions associated with particular traits
What is often used in QTL analysis to identify genomic regions responsible for coat color in mice?
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
What is used to understand the link between phenotype and genotype?
Recombination
What does the degree of linkage of different loci depend on?
Distance between them
What does QTL analysis aim to link?
Traits with genes
'Presence or absence of an allele at a second locus' is associated with which genetic concept?
Linkage disequilibrium
What type of substitution in DNA sequences does not change the encoded protein?
Synonymous substitutions
What indicates positive selection on DNA sequences when compared to synonymous sites?
Faster evolution
What does a slower evolution than synonymous sites indicate on DNA sequences?
Purifying selection
What is the dN/dS ratio also known as?
Ka/Ks ratio
Which ratio would be expected for a gene under positive selection?
dN/dS > 1
What could lead to a dN/dS ratio of less than 1?
Purifying selection
In the context of evolution rates, what could explain more similar dN/dS ratios between BRCA1 genes and immune genes?
"Host-virus arms race"
What mechanism spreads adaptive alleles through a population more quickly than recombination acts to separate them from neighboring alleles?
"Selective sweep"
What leaves a signature in neighboring alleles due to its rapid spread through a population?
Selective sweep
What do gene trees depict?
Phylogeny of DNA sequence at a particular locus
Which term is used to describe the common ancestry represented by nodes in gene trees?
Coalescence
What can tracking phylogenies back in time lead to?
Population bottlenecks
What may cause shallow coalescence in gene trees?
Positive selection
Why may gene trees and species trees not always match?
Incomplete lineage sorting
In gene trees vs. species trees, what does a gene tree depict specifically?
Evolutionary history of DNA sequences at a locus
What does the dN/dS ratio measure in molecular evolution studies?
Rate of nonsynonymous mutations
'Neutral theory' in molecular evolution suggests that most mutations are:
'Not subject to natural selection'
'Selection' on DNA sequences usually affects which type of mutations?
'Nonsynonymous'
'Rate of molecular evolution' refers to the speed at which:
'Mutations occur'
What type of trait does the G ➔ T mutation represent in terms of nucleotides (bases)?
Synapomorphy
What term describes the evolutionary relationships among different taxa?
Phylogeny
What kind of genealogies do genetic loci have for their nucleotides (bases)?
Alleles
In genetic terms, what are the Gs in Ts?
Alleles
What is the term used to describe the mixing and matching of alleles?
Genetic recombination
What does a synapomorphy indicate in terms of evolutionary relationships?
Common ancestor
What happens when alleles at different loci are nonrandomly associated?
Linkage disequilibrium
What type of genetic variation results from introgression?
Synapomorphy
Which term describes the mixing of genetic material between different species or populations?
Gene flow
What is the neutral theory of molecular evolution proposed by Motoo Kimura in 1968?
Most evolution at the molecular level is neutral and driven by genetic drift.
What does synonymous (silent) mutation refer to in terms of DNA sequences?
It does not affect the amino acid sequence of the protein.
What is the primary difference between synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations?
Nonsynonymous mutations are generally selectively neutral.
What aspect of DNA evolution does the rate of molecular evolution refer to?
The variability in mutation rates among different DNA segments.
In terms of DNA evolution, what is meant by '4-fold degenerate sites'?
DNA regions where mutations do not lead to amino acid changes due to redundancy in the genetic code.
How does natural selection influence the fixation of mutations according to the neutral theory of molecular evolution?
Natural selection has no role in fixing mutations based on fitness advantages.
What does the dN/dS ratio indicate when analyzing DNA sequences?
'dN/dS' is used to estimate the selective pressures acting on protein-coding genes.
How do different types of DNA segments evolve according to the information provided?
'm', 'n', and 'c' segments evolve at different rates but consistently within organisms.
'Neutral theory of molecular evolution postulates that ___.'
'most changes at the molecular level are due to genetic drift.'
What term describes a homologous gene that arises due to gene duplication?
Paralog
Which process involves the co-option of a particular gene for a totally different function as a result of a mutation?
Gene recruitment
What led to the evolution of the ability to consume citrate in E. coli?
Gene duplication
Which statement best describes paralogs?
Genes that arise from gene duplication
What is the term for the process of reorganizing a preexisting regulatory network resulting in a major evolutionary event?
Gene recruitment
Which event is an example of the evolution of a complex trait through gene duplication?
Consumption of citrate in E. coli
What is the term for the recruitment of venom genes from genes expressed in multiple snake organs?
Gene recruitment
What is the term used to describe similarity in traits or sequences due to inheritance from a common ancestor?
Homology
Which genetic concept reflects the idea that flies and mice use homologous genes for dorsal-ventral patterning?
Homology
What does the expression of HOXd13 in zebrafish and mouse embryos demonstrate about gene evolution?
Shared ancestry
Why are flies and mice more likely to have homologous genes for dorsal-ventral patterning?
Shared ancient genetic toolkit
What aspect of genetic networks often controls complex adaptations?
Regulatory networks
Which of the following can have drastic effects on animal embryo development?
Mutations to genes at the top of the hierarchy
What controls the shared ancestry of complex traits according to the text?
Genes, proteins, RNA, control regions, repressors, and transcription factors
Which genetic concept experiences selection for a common, often novel, function?
Coexpressed traits
What are complex adaptations controlled by?
Genes, proteins, RNA, control regions, repressors, and other transcription factors
What is often involved in the development of animal embryos according to the text?
Hierarchical gene organization
What is the focus of the lecture 'Quantitative Traits and Genetics'?
Genetic linkage
Which concept refers to the occurrence of an allele at one locus being nonrandomly associated with the presence of an allele at another locus?
Linkage disequilibrium
What does 'Polygenic trait' refer to in genetics?
Trait influenced by many genetic loci
Which term describes the evolutionary relationships among different taxa?
Phylogenies
What generates genetic variation by mixing alleles?
Recombination
What type of traits tend to vary continuously among individuals?
Polygenic traits
In quantitative genetics, what is the term for the mixing and matching of alleles?
Genetic linkage
What does linkage disequilibrium in cats reflect, according to Alhaddad et al. 2013?
Individual genetic variations within a breed
What does Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis aim to link?
Genomic regions responsible for specific traits
What do Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify?
Variants and genomic regions associated with particular traits
How is the relationship between phenotype and genotype understood in QTL analysis?
By linking genomic regions with specific loci
What is the main focus of GWAS according to Palmer and Kronforst. 2020?
Identifying genes involved in mimicry in swallowtail butterflies
How is linkage disequilibrium influenced in close loci on the same chromosome?
By the distance between loci
Why are single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) often used in QTL analysis?
To identify genomic regions responsible for specific traits
What can be inferred about loci close together on the same chromosome based on the degree of linkage?
They demonstrate a nonrandom association.
What is a main requirement for natural selection to occur?
High heritability
Which component of fitness refers to an individual's reproductive success?
Fecundity
Which scientist contributed significantly to the understanding of natural selection but is not always credited with the discovery?
Alfred Russel Wallace
What type of selection favors alleles that lower fitness?
Negative selection
Which concept describes the contribution of individuals with one genotype compared to the fittest genotype in the population?
Relative fitness
What do organisms need to possess for natural selection to occur?
High heritability
Which scenario would violate Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
Natural selection
'Fitness' in evolutionary terms is best described as:
'Survival and reproduction'
What type of selective response is favored when intermediate size is selected for?
Stabilizing selection
'Variation' in the context of natural selection refers to differences in:
'Genetic makeup'
In the context of the text, what property reflects the genotype of an individual?
Gall diameter
What type of selection leads to the evolution of similar ecomorphs like the multicolored tanager?
Directional selection
What concept is used to describe the heritability of gall diameter in the text?
Genetic correlation
What type of genetic change is favored when low-Eda alleles are present at low frequencies in marine environments?
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium violation
What does the rapid loss of armor in Loberg Lake indicate about evolution?
'Repeated evolution' of low-plate phenotype
Which genetic concept involves the production of variable lateral plates in stickleback due to Eda signaling?
'Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis'
What aspect of natural selection does the repeated evolution of Anole 'ecomorphs' illustrate?
'Directional selection'
'Replicated changes as natural experiments' suggest which evolutionary outcome?
'Parallel evolution'
'High-Eda' and 'Low-Eda' alleles affecting armor in sticklebacks are examples of what genetic phenomenon?
'Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium violation'
How did severe drought affecting the availability of food lead to the evolution of larger-beaked birds?
Harder, woody seeds became the only available food, favoring larger-beaked birds.
In the context of natural selection, what does 'directional selection' refer to?
Selection that favors individuals at one extreme of the phenotypic range.
What factor can lead to rapid changes in a population according to the text?
Natural selection.
How does coat color variation affect fitness in oldfield mice according to Hopi Hoekstra's research?
It affects the ability of mice to blend into their environment and avoid predators.
What is implied by 'heritability' in the context of coat color variation affecting fitness in oldfield mice?
The ability of coat color to be passed down from one generation to the next.
What phenomenon can lead to differences in fitness and survival among individuals in a population?
Natural selection.
'Crypsis' in feather lice refers to:
'Cryptic coloration' that helps lice blend into their host's feathers.
'Impaired preening ability' in painted lice studied by Bush et al. 2019 implies:
'Preening ability' is essential for lice survival and reproduction.
'Experimentally induced evolution toward lighter coloration in pigeon lice' illustrates:
'Artificial' selection pressures leading to changes in lice coloration.
What do experiments by Bush et al. 2019 on more conspicuous lice being removed by pigeons suggest?
Pigeons selectively remove more conspicuous lice, indicating a predator-prey interaction.
Join the lecture celebrating Darwin Day with a discussion on Quantitative Traits and Genetics in the field of Evolution. The event will feature talks by different paleontologists and experts in the field, covering topics like The Dinosaurs of Arkansas and The Early Cretaceous Ornithomimosaur Record in North America.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
