1. How do genetic differences between individuals of the same species arise? Give examples of the different ways in which such differences can arise and examples of where we observ... 1. How do genetic differences between individuals of the same species arise? Give examples of the different ways in which such differences can arise and examples of where we observe them in nature. 2. Using examples illustrate how variation, inheritance and differential reproductive success may result in evolutionary change. A good answer will include examples from different eras, from early experimental or observational work through to modern day studies, considering genetics and ideally also genomic studies. 3. Why do isolated islands and lakes often contain many highly diverged ‘radiations’ of species that are found nowhere else? Include examples of terrestrial and aquatic species in your answer. 4. How is speciation proposed to occur and why is it difficult to determine which mode of speciation has led to historical speciation events? Include examples in your answer. 5. Compare and contrast the processes of natural selection and sexual selection. Describe similarities, differences and conflicts, illustrating your answer with examples, as well as including some recent developments and discoveries. 6. Compare and contrast Lamarckian evolutionary thinking and Darwin’s theories. Illustrate your answer with examples and explain what relevance these theories have in the present day. 7. What is frequency-dependent selection and how does this act to maintain or remove variation in populations? Illustrate your answer with examples from the recent literature. 8. What is an adaptive radiation, and how is it thought to occur? You should refer to studies of terrestrial and aquatic species radiations in your answer and explain how these have improved our general knowledge of evolutionary biology and the process of speciation. Read more