Mechanisms of Evolution Overview
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Questions and Answers

What are the five mechanisms of evolution?

Natural Selection, genetic drift, gene flow, mutations, and non random mating.

Observation #1 states that:

Members of a population often vary greatly in their traits.

Observation #2 states that:

Traits are inherited from parents to offspring.

Observation #3 states that:

<p>All species are capable of producing more offspring than the environment can support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Observation #4 states that:

<p>Previous factors obligate organisms to struggle to survive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

If variation is inherited, and overproduction occurs, then what does that mean for existence?

<p>It is a struggle for existence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Darwinian fitness?

<p>Contribution an individual makes to the gene pool of the next generation relative to the contributions of other individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Population evolves, not individuals.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Natural selection is random.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic drift?

<p>A change in the gene pool of a small population due to chance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the bottleneck effect?

<p>Results from a drastic reduction in population size. Bottlenecking reduces genetic variation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the founder effect?

<p>When one has one or more extra fingers or toes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is gene flow?

<p>Genetic exchange with another population. It tends to reduce genetic differences between populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are mutations?

<p>Changes in an organism's DNA. Acting alone, it doesn't have much of an effect on a large population but can have significant cumulative effects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is non-random mating?

<p>One who has more opportunity to mate than others, thus producing more offspring and more copies of their genes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are deterministic vs. stochastic processes?

<p>Stochastic processes involve random components such as mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow. Deterministic components include natural selection and non-random mating.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Mechanisms of Evolution

Five mechanisms that drive evolutionary change in populations.

Natural Selection

Individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to their offspring.

Genetic Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies within a population, especially noticeable in small populations.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations, reducing genetic differences.

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Mutations

Changes in an organism's DNA sequence; the source of new genetic variation.

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Non-Random Mating

Individuals with certain traits are more likely to mate and reproduce, influencing allele frequencies.

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Darwinian Fitness

A measure of an individual's reproductive success, reflecting its contribution to the gene pool of the next generation.

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Population Evolves

A population evolves over time, not individual organisms within that population.

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Natural Selection is Not Random

Natural selection is not random; it favors traits that increase survival and reproduction.

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Bottleneck Effect

A drastic reduction in population size due to random events, leading to decreased genetic diversity.

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Founder Effect

A new population is established by a small group of individuals, leading to a limited gene pool and often different allele frequencies.

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Stochastic Processes

Evolutionary processes driven by chance events, such as genetic drift or mutations.

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Deterministic Processes

Evolutionary processes driven by predictable and consistent factors, such as natural selection and non-random mating.

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Survival of the Fittest

Individuals with traits better suited to the environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits to their offspring.

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Evolution

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

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Gene Pool

The sum total of all the genes in a population.

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Study Notes

Mechanisms of Evolution

  • Five mechanisms of evolution: natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, mutations, and non-random mating.

Key Observations of Evolution

  • Variation in traits is common among members of a population.
  • Traits are inherited from parents to their offspring.
  • Species tend to produce more offspring than the environment can sustain.
  • Organisms face competition for survival due to limited resources.

Struggle for Existence

  • Inherited variation and overproduction lead to a struggle for existence among organisms.

Darwinian Fitness

  • Darwinian fitness measures an individual's contribution to the next generation's gene pool relative to others.

Population Evolution

  • Evolution occurs at the population level, not at the individual level.

Natural Selection

  • Natural selection is a non-random process, contrasting with the concept of randomness.

Genetic Drift

  • Refers to changes in the gene pool of small populations due to random events.

Bottleneck Effect

  • A significant reduction in population size that decreases genetic variation within the population.

Founder Effect

  • Occurs when a few individuals establish a new population, potentially leading to limited genetic diversity.

Gene Flow

  • Involves genetic exchange between populations, generally decreasing genetic differences.

Mutations

  • Mutations are changes in an organism's DNA that can accumulate over time and impact populations significantly.

Non-Random Mating

  • Refers to individuals with more mating opportunities producing more offspring, enhancing the propagation of certain genes.

Deterministic vs. Stochastic Processes

  • Stochastic processes involve random elements: mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow.
  • Deterministic processes include natural selection, sexual selection, and non-random mating.

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Explore the five key mechanisms of evolution, including natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. Understand the principles of variation, inheritance, and competition that drive evolution within populations. Delve into the concepts of Darwinian fitness and the struggle for existence among organisms.

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