Biol 3350Exam # 1 Study Guide Lectures: 1 - 7Lecture 1 (January 8)Evolution is the Unifying Theory of BiologyWhat is evolution?Evolution means change, and it is a process of descent with modification from common ancestors. Descent is the cumulative transmission of genetic information across generations. Modification is the alteration in the composition of genetic information. Common ancestry means that all of life shares a history of ancestors that are shared. Evolution occurs in populations; individuals do not evolve. What is the difference between a hypothesis, theory, and a fact?A hypothesis is a falsifiable proposition; something that can be tested. A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested in many different ways and continues to be supported. A fact is a hypothesis that has become so well supported by evidence that we are convinced it is true.Lecture 2 (January 13)Evidence Exists for Change in the EarthWhat is the difference between Azoic and Zoic layers of rock?Azoic are the layers that do not have evidence of past life, or do not have any fossils. Zoic layers are the layers that have evidence of past life, or have fossils.What is the principle of superposition?The principle of superposition is that the layers that are found lower in a rock formation are older than the layers that occur higher up. This information can be used to date fossils depending on which layer the fossils were found. This type of dating is known as relative dating.Lecture 3 (January 15)Radiometric Dating and Evidence from the Fossil RecordWhat are two different types of radiometric dating?Potassium-Argon radiometric dating uses volcanic rocks. As the volcanic ash cools, theradioactive potassium begins to decay into argon. Relative portions of radioactive potassium and argon in the rock show how old the rock is.Carbon-14 radiometric dating uses carbon isotopes. C-14 is radioactive and decays at a constant rate. N-14 replaces C-14 over time, and the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the dead organism canshow how long ago it died. What are transitional forms?Transitional forms are organisms that contain characteristics of ancestral species as well as noveltraits of descendant species. By looking at the order of species, we can see how whales transitioned from their terrestrial ancestor to a modern day, totally aquatic whale.Lecture 4 (January 20)Early Ideas on Evolutionary ChangesWhat was Plato’s notion of type?Plato believed that each species had an ideal form and that things we see on the world are manifestation of that “perfect” form (with some imperfections). We wouldn’t expect forms to change if they were God’s perfect form, as it would imply some deficiencies in the original plan.What were Lamarck’s ideas on evolutionary changes?Lamarck came up with the use and disuse theory in which he believed that giraffes’ necks increased in length in future generations in order to reach higher leaves to eat. This idea of change within species was correct, but the mechanism he used to describe it was not.Lecture 5 (January 22)Genetics of Beach MiceWhat are the two pigment molecules in mice fur?Eumelanin produces darker fur colors and pheomelanin produces lighter fur colors.What is the role of the MC1R protein?When amino acid #67 is cysteins, the MC1R protein is unable to effectively bind to alpha-MSH. There are three possible genotypes associated with mc1r gene, RR (dark), RC, CC (light). There isa relationship between the allele type of the beach mice and the genotypes they possess.Lecture 6 (January 27)The History of Evolutionary ThoughtWhat are some of Darwin and Wallace’s contributions?- Selection among individuals, not species- Gradual change, - Role of ecological differentiation- Role of sexual selection- Natural selection could result in new speciesWhat were Darwin’s postulates?- Postulate 1: Variation (natural selection only acts on variation that exists within a population)- Postulate 2: Trait is heritable- Postulate 3: More individuals are produced than survive- Postulate 4: Struggle for existenceLecture 7 (January 29)Critiques of Darwin and SpeciationWhat were some critiques put on Darwin’s ideas?Natural selection is limited in its effectiveness. Artificial selection reaches a limited at which the trait can no longer be extended. Small differences are not large enough.What is the difference between allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation?Allopatric speciation is speciation that is taking place in geographic isolation, or speciation that occurs due to a geographic barrier that limits connection between two populations. Sympatric speciation is speciation that occurs between two populations in the same