5 Questions
What does evolution hold about species?
All species are related and gradually change over generations
What did Julian Huxley refer to as the modern synthesis of understanding?
Integration of genetics, ecology, systematics, and paleontology in evolutionary biology
What is evolutionary biology?
The subfield of biology that studies the processes producing the diversity of life on Earth
What are some examples of evolution in species over many generations mentioned in the text?
Peppered moth and flightless birds
What does evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) investigate?
How embryogenesis is controlled, integrating developmental biology with evolutionary synthesis
Study Notes
Evolution and Species
- Evolution holds that all species of life have a common ancestor and have evolved over time through the process of natural selection and genetic drift.
Modern Synthesis
- Julian Huxley referred to the modern synthesis as the integration of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection with Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance.
Evolutionary Biology
- Evolutionary biology is the study of the history of life on Earth, focusing on the patterns and processes of evolutionary change.
Examples of Evolution
- Peppered moths in England evolved from light to dark coloration in response to the industrial revolution, which darkened tree trunks.
- Antibiotic resistance in bacteria has evolved in response to the overuse of antibiotics.
- The evolution of the horse over 50 million years, from small, multi-toed forest dwellers to modern horses.
- The adaptation of whales from land-dwelling mammals to marine animals.
Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
- Evo-devo investigates how developmental processes evolve across different species, focusing on the interaction between genetics and environment in shaping morphology.
Test your knowledge of evolutionary biology with this quiz. Explore concepts such as natural selection, common descent, genetic variations, and the history of life forms on Earth.
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