Genetic Variation and Evolution Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of variation in a species?

Variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals that belong to the same species.

How do genetic traits differ from acquired traits?

Genetic traits are inherited features passed down through genes, while acquired traits are developed during an individual's life.

What can lead to variation in traits among individuals?

Variation can arise from genetic mutations and environmental factors.

What is the impact of limited genetic variability on a population?

<p>Limited genetic variability can make a population more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are mutations related to variation?

<p>Mutations are random changes in genetic code that can introduce new variations in traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the environment can influence traits in individuals.

<p>The environment can cause changes in physical traits, such as sun exposure affecting skin tone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of genetic diversity for survival?

<p>Genetic diversity enhances a population's ability to adapt and survive challenges in their environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does reproduction play in mutation variability?

<p>Reproduction is essential for the transmission of mutations from one generation to the next.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection?

<p>Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment have a greater chance of survival and reproduction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List the five steps of natural selection.

<p>The five steps are variation, selection pressure, survival, reproduction/inheritance, and generation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define a species.

<p>A species is a group of organisms that can breed together to produce fertile offspring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how new species can form.

<p>New species form through isolation within a population followed by evolution under different selection pressures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are adaptations in the context of evolution?

<p>Adaptations are genetic traits that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happens when environmental conditions change in relation to species.

<p>When environmental conditions change, different traits may be favored, potentially starting the process of natural selection anew.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of variation in natural selection?

<p>Variation among individuals in a population is crucial, as it provides the different traits that selection pressures can act upon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between behavioral adaptations and other types of adaptations.

<p>Behavioral adaptations involve responses made by organisms that aid in survival or reproduction, while physical or physiological adaptations are structural or functional changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of evolution in terms of population?

<p>Evolution is any change in the genetic traits of a population over many generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is genetic variation important for the process of evolution?

<p>Genetic variation is crucial because it allows populations to adapt and evolve through the selection of beneficial traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List the three key elements needed for evolution by natural selection.

<p>The three key elements are genetic variation within a population, natural selection of beneficial traits, and reproduction that promotes the successful traits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how natural selection leads to the increased prevalence of certain traits within a population.

<p>Natural selection leads to increased prevalence of traits by favoring individuals with advantageous traits, which enhances their survival and reproductive success.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to populations that have low genetic diversity?

<p>Populations with low genetic diversity are at a higher risk of extinction, as they may not survive even small environmental changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of mutations in evolution.

<p>Mutations contribute to evolution by creating new genetic variations that can be selected for or against in a population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the reproduction of individuals with successful traits affect future generations?

<p>The reproduction of individuals with successful traits results in those traits becoming more common in future generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between adaptive traits and survival in a population?

<p>Adaptive traits are those that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction, making them more common in the population over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between structural and physiological adaptations in organisms?

<p>Structural adaptations are physical features like a long beak, while physiological adaptations are body processes, such as temperature regulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

<p>Artificial selection is the intentional breeding for desired traits, whereas natural selection is the survival of organisms better suited to their environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain what genetic diversity means in the context of a population.

<p>Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within a population, which contributes to the adaptability and survival of the species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are acquired traits and how do they differ from genetic traits?

<p>Acquired traits are features gained during an individual's lifetime, such as a tattoo, while genetic traits are determined by an individual's DNA and inherited from parents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define selection pressure and give an example.

<p>Selection pressure is an environmental factor that affects an organism's ability to survive; for example, predators increasing pressure on prey populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do mutations play in the process of evolution?

<p>Mutations introduce random changes in genetic code, producing new variations in traits that can lead to evolution over generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of a species defined in biological terms?

<p>A species is defined as a group of organisms that can breed to produce fertile offspring, allowing for continued existence and evolution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is natural selection and how does it impact populations over time?

<p>Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more effectively, leading to evolutionary changes in populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Variation

Differences in traits among individuals within the same species.

Acquired Traits

Characteristics gained during a lifetime, not passed to offspring.

Genetic Traits

Characteristics passed down through genes from parents to offspring.

Mutation

Random changes in the genetic code (DNA).

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Genetic Variability

The diversity of genes within a population.

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Low Genetic Variation

Limited diversity in a population's DNA.

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Genes & Environment

Factors influencing variation: genes (inherited traits) and the environment (acquired traits).

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How Variation Arises

Variations in traits can arise from mutations in genes or through environmental factors.

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Evolution

Changes in genetic traits within a population over many generations.

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Genetic variation

Differences in genetic traits within a population.

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Importance of variation

Genetic variation is essential for evolution because it allows some traits to become more common.

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Natural selection

Process where beneficial traits become more common over time as these individuals survive and produce more offspring.

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Genetic Diversity

The amount of genetic variation in a population.

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Adaptive traits

Traits that give an individual a survival advantage in a particular environment.

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Evolutionary success

An organism's ability to survive and reproduce, passing on its traits to the next generation.

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Three Key Elements for Evolution

Genetic variation, natural selection of advantageous traits, and reproduction to pass on traits to the next generation are needed for evolution to occur.

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Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations.

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Natural Selection Steps

Natural selection occurs in five steps: Variation, selection pressure (environment), survival, reproduction/inheritance, and generation.

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Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

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Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

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Adaptation

A trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction in its environment.

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Selection Pressure

Environmental factors that influence the survival and reproduction of organisms.

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Behavioral Adaptation

An organism's actions that improve survival or reproduction.

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Evolution

The gradual change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

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Artificial Selection

Intentionally choosing specific traits in organisms to breed for desired characteristics.

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Variation

Differences in traits among individuals within the same species.

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Acquired Traits

Characteristics gained during an individual's life.

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Genetic Traits

Characteristics passed down through genes from parents.

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Mutation

Random changes in genetic code (DNA).

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Evolution

Change in the genetic traits of a population over many generations.

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Population

A group of organisms of the same species living in a shared area.

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Natural selection

Survival of better-adapted organisms in their environment.

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Study Notes

Variation

  • Variation is the difference in traits among individuals within the same species.
  • Variations in traits are necessary for populations to evolve.
  • Understanding how variations are produced and passed is crucial to understanding evolution.
  • Acquired traits are features developed during an individual's lifetime, like losing a limb or getting a tattoo.
  • Genetic traits are features determined by genes passed from one generation to the next, like eye color or height.

Genetic Variation and Evolution

  • Genetic traits are determined by genes in DNA and are inherited.
  • Mutations are random changes in genetic code that can lead to new traits.
  • Mutations can be helpful, harmful, or neutral.
  • New mutations arise in each generation.
  • Genetic variability in a population: Limited genetic diversity in a population makes it more vulnerable to disease and environmental changes, as less genetic material is available for natural selection.

Evolution

  • Evolution is any change in the genetic traits of a population over multiple generations. Individuals must belong to the same species and be in the same area.
  • This does not refer to changes within a whole species, but populations instead.
  • For example, a population of beetles starting with similar coloration, but over time, random mutations that change coloration may become more common within the populace. This is an example of evolution.

Natural Selection

  • Natural Selection favors traits that aid survival and reproduction.
  • Beneficial traits are passed to offspring; hence become more common in a population over generations.
  • Natural selection is the process by which organisms with advantageous traits are better adapted to their environment and are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits.
  • The environment selects for traits that enable survival.
  • The process of natural selection leads to a population with favorable traits.

Speciation

  • A species is a group of organisms that can breed to produce fertile offspring.
  • Speciation is the formation of a new species.

Adaptations

  • Adaptations are genetic traits that help organisms survive and reproduce. These include behavioural, physiological, and structural adaptations.

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