BIOSC 335--EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY“Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” --Theodosius Dobzhansky, 1973PowerPoint PresentationWhat is Evolution?Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17E. What does Evolution do for you?Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21BIOSC 335--EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGYInstructors: Dr. Margaret PtacekOffice Hours: Mon. & Tues. 3:30 – 5:00 213 JordanMs. Kristine Moody, 212 JordanWeekly Review Sessions: Mon. 6:00 – 8:00, 224 Long Hall Wed. 3:30 – 5:30, 220 Long Hall“Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.”--Theodosius Dobzhansky, 1973"Very little in evolution make sense except in the light of genetics" (Lots of people) Jody Hey, Rutgers University geneticistWhat is Evolution?I. Evolution is the unifying theory of biologyA. What does evolutionary theory explain?1. Diversity of life•Traces all living thing through lines of common ancestryTree of Life Projecthttp://tolweb. org/tree/ phylogeny. html2. Differences and similarities among organisms3. The characteristics of organisms, both useful and non-usefulB. What is evolution?1. In a broad sense, evolution simply means change.-comes from the latin word ‘evolvere’“To unfold or unroll” -to reveal hidden potentialities2. 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 is that all of life shares a history of common ancestors3. Evolution occurs in populations•individuals do not evolve•share a common gene pool•evolve through changes in the proportion of different types across generationsSoapberry BugsC. How does evolution occur?1. Acts on variation-mutation is the ultimate source of variation-genetic recombination also produces variationAAaa Aa2. Variation is sorted within a generation-CHANCE results in random variation in survival and reproduction of different types-SELECTION results in directed variation in survival and reproduction of different types. NOT DUE TO CHANCE3. Evolution occurs when the proportion of certain variants differs between generations-a particular type may increase or decrease due to chance-a particular type may increase if favored by selection (adaptive) GOOD-a particular type may decrease if disfavored by selection (maladaptive) BADD. Why is evolution a theory?1. Statement(s) based on observation or experimentation that explains the causes of something known or observed–In science, a theory is not an unsupported speculation or hypothesis–An hypothesis is a falsifiable proposition–A fact is a hypothesis that has become so well supported by evidence that we are convinced it is trueThe existence of evolutionary change is a scientific fact.2. Evolutionary theory is a group of interrelated ideas about the processes that cause evolutionary change.-a body of hypotheses, most of which are well supported with empirical evidenceE. What does Evolution do for you?1. Health and Medicine•Predicts origin and spread of disease•Guides production of new vaccines•Genetic counseling•Gene therapy treatments•Darwinian medicine helps us understand which symptoms are adaptivePrediction of influenza A vaccine by phylogenetic analysisHemagglutinin gene2. Agriculture and natural resources–Development of improved varieties of domesticated plants and animals through artificial selection–Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)3. Environment and conservation–Preserve genetic diversity, decrease probability of extinction–Target particular populations and habitats for conservation–Guide restoration and reintroduction plans–Slow down the rate of loss of