Fitness and Variation in Biology

The ability of an organism to survive, reproduce, and transmit its genes to the next generation in its environment.

An organism with greater fitness is better adapted to its environment, making it more likely to produce offspring that will also survive and reproduce.

The differences in DNA sequences, protein structures, enzyme activities, and types of molecules (like lipids, carbohydrates) within cells.

Variations at the molecular level can directly affect an organism's fitness by influencing essential processes like metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

Hemoglobin variants with different oxygen binding affinities aid in adaptation to varied oxygen needs and environments.

Binds oxygen more strongly than adult hemoglobin, enabling efficient oxygen transfer from the mother's blood to the fetus.

Replaces fetal hemoglobin after birth, suited for oxygen transport in a higher-oxygen environment.

Hemoglobin variation ensures efficient oxygen delivery at different life stages and in different environments.

Fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen than adult hemoglobin, allowing it to effectively absorb oxygen from the mother's blood.

Fatty acids with straight, saturated hydrocarbon chains.

Fatty acids with bent or kinked unsaturated hydrocarbon chains.

Saturated fats tend to be solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats tend to be liquid at room temperature.

The percentage composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a lipid bilayer influences the fluidity of the cell membrane.

The fluidity of the cell membrane allows for easier passive transport of molecules in and out of the cell.

Plants can adjust the percentage of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in their cell membranes based on temperature changes, ensuring appropriate membrane fluidity.

Plants can adjust the percentage of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in their cell membranes, enabling them to respond to a variety of environmental stimuli.

Chlorophyll ‘a’ absorbs light mainly in the blue-violet and red regions, while chlorophyll ‘b’ absorbs light best in the blue and red-orange regions.

Photosystem II utilizes chlorophyll 'a' while Photosystem I uses chlorophyll 'b'.

The two different chlorophyll molecules specialize in absorbing different wavelengths of light, increasing the ability to absorb solar energy for photosynthesis.