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Questions and Answers
What is microevolution primarily characterized by?
What is microevolution primarily characterized by?
Which factor is NOT a mechanism of microevolution?
Which factor is NOT a mechanism of microevolution?
What effect results from a disaster that drastically reduces population size?
What effect results from a disaster that drastically reduces population size?
How does gene flow affect a population?
How does gene flow affect a population?
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What is a key characteristic of mutations?
What is a key characteristic of mutations?
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What phenomenon results when a small group of individuals colonizes a new area?
What phenomenon results when a small group of individuals colonizes a new area?
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Which type of mating occurs when individuals choose partners based on specific traits?
Which type of mating occurs when individuals choose partners based on specific traits?
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Which of the following statements about genetic drift is true?
Which of the following statements about genetic drift is true?
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What is meant by the term 'gene flow' in evolution?
What is meant by the term 'gene flow' in evolution?
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Which of the following best describes the bottleneck effect?
Which of the following best describes the bottleneck effect?
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What does the founder effect illustrate in microevolution?
What does the founder effect illustrate in microevolution?
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Which statement best captures the role of mutations in evolution?
Which statement best captures the role of mutations in evolution?
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In the context of non-random mating, what is sexual selection?
In the context of non-random mating, what is sexual selection?
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How is genetic drift best described?
How is genetic drift best described?
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Which of the following describes the outcome of gene flow?
Which of the following describes the outcome of gene flow?
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What distinguishes microevolution from macroevolution?
What distinguishes microevolution from macroevolution?
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Study Notes
Microevolution vs Macroevolution
- Macroevolution refers to the origin of large taxonomic groups above the species level.
- Microevolution is the gradual change in a population's gene pool over generations.
Where Does Variation Come From?
- There are four mechanisms of microevolution.
1. Genetic Drift
- Genetic drift is the change in allele frequencies within a small population due to chance.
- Two examples of genetic drift are the bottleneck effect and the founder effect.
a. Bottleneck Effect
- The bottleneck effect occurs when a disaster reduces a population size, reducing the number of alleles in the population.
- Examples of disasters include earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
b. Founder Effect
- The founder effect occurs when a new location is populated by a small number of individuals.
- This small group may not represent the complete range of alleles, leading to changes in the gene pool.
- Examples include islands, like the first Darwin finch population, and polydactyly, a condition with extra fingers or toes.
2. Gene Flow
- Gene flow is the movement of alleles within a population due to the migration of individuals or gametes.
- This can involve immigration or emigration.
- An example is the movement of prairie dogs between colonies.
3. Mutation
- Mutation is a change in an organism's DNA that creates a new allele.
- These mutations can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial.
4. Non-Random Mating
- Non-random mating includes sexual selection.
- Individuals with specific traits are more likely to reproduce, leading to changes in the gene pool.
- This can involve preferences for certain physical or behavioral characteristics, such as colorful plumage in birds.
Microevolution
- Changes in a population’s gene pool over several generations
- Evolutionary changes in species over relatively short periods of geological time
Mechanisms of Microevolution
- Genetic Drift
- Gene Flow
- Mutation
- Non-Random Mating
Genetic Drift
- A change in the gene pool of a small population due to chance
- Two examples: bottleneck effect and founder effect
Bottleneck Effect
- Reduction of alleles in a population
- Results from a disaster that drastically reduces population size
Founder Effect
- A small number of individuals colonize a new location
- Results in random change of the gene pool
Gene Flow
- The gain or loss of alleles from a population by the movement of individuals or gametes
- Immigration or emigration
- Ex: Prairie dog colonies
Mutation
- Change in an organism’s DNA that creates a new allele
- Inheritable mutations can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial
Non-Random Mating
- Individuals select mates based on certain traits.
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Description
Test your understanding of microevolution and macroevolution concepts. This quiz covers mechanisms like genetic drift, including the bottleneck and founder effects. Enhance your knowledge of how variations in gene pools occur over generations.
