FW 104: BIOLOGY BACKGROUND & NATURAL SELECTION (EVOLUTION)

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DNA
The genetic code or Blueprint for life uses 4 "letters" (ATGC) or molecules called bases
Codon
A series of 3 base pairs
Genes
(a sentence) Use codons that spell out how to construct proteins which produce traits
Chromosome
Structure in every cell on which DNA is found different organisms have distinct number of chromosomal pair Humans 23 Dogs 78 Goldfish 94
Locus
The specific position of the gene sequence on the chromosome Location on a chromosome where the gene exists
Diploid
Pairs of chromosomes
Alleles
The different versions of the same genes (two or more alternative forms); code for different versions of the same trait Heterozygous: different from each parent Rr rR Homozygous: identical from each parent RR rr Occupy same locus on a chromosome Diploid organism- individual inherits o…
How many letters (bases) in the DNA alphabet
4 Bases (ATGC)
Alleles refer to DIFFERENT genes on the chromosome
False; alleles are different versions of the same gene
Genotype
An individuals blueprint (genetic makeup)
Phenotype
What an individual looks like (characteristics)
Variation: Can individuals with a different genotype have the same phenotypic trait?
Yes ; dominant/ recessive traits Rr RR
Variation: Can individuals with the same genotype have a different phenotype?
Yes; sometimes genotype + environment = phenotype (snowshoe hare)
Genotypic Variation
Differences in the GENETIC MAKEUP of individuals
Phenotypic Variation
Differences in the MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, OR BEHAVIORAL characteristics
When you see a person with Brown eyes (dominant trait), do they know the genotype
No; with a dominant trait the phenotypic expression could be the result of a homozygous allele (BB) or a heterozygous allele (Bb)
Mutation
Random changes in the sequence of ATGC or the "blueprint" original source of genetic variation Causes: radiation, chemicals, replication errors
Evolution
Change in the genetic composition of a population over time ( a change in allele frequency). Can lead to new species if populations are isolated
Natural Selection
Environmental factors favor particular inherited traits; process of genetically different individuals with a higher survival potential in a given environment leave more offspring; differential survival and reproduction of organisms based on genetic differences Critical to understanding a…
Process of Natural Selection
Genetic Variation Overproduction of offspring Struggle for existence Differential survival and reproduction
Genetic Variation Summary
Phenotypic differences among individuals must be the result of genotypic differences Not all phenotypes blend well with the environment, and thus not all young will survive Differences in reproductive success or survival are due to genotypic differences between individuals
Sex
Shares mutations with offspring and creates new allele combinations Recombination of chromosomal segments during meiosis into haploid gametes Then mother/ father chromosomes come together in fertilization Trillions of possible combinations- chance of having two identical individuals is…
Why Sex? scientifically speaking........
Sexual Reproduction randomly creates new genotypes which may be less well adapted. Sexual Reproduction costly in time and energy Sexual Reproduction is risky- an adult has to develop from a fertilized egg Asexual reproduction keeps genotypes intact
The Red Queen Hypothesis was named after a character in "Alice and Wonderland" Is specific to asexual reproduction in fish states that in order to keep up as a species, the species must continue to evolve all of the above A & C
A & C; The Red Queen Hypothesis was named after a character in Alice & states that in order to keep up as a species, the species must continue to evolve The Red Queen Hypothesis states that organisms must evolve to maintain their place or become outcompeted, easy prey, etc.
Genotypes in a Human
23 pairs of chromosomes so 2^23 combinations = 8,388,608 possible combinations for each egg and sperm before crossing over during recombination Crossing over rearranges genes increasing variability exponentially (average in humans is 2 crossovers/chromosomes) Random combinations of egg …
Is sexual selection a form of natural selection ?
YES; sexual selection is a form or subset of natural selection In peacock example the female choice/mate selections is a selective pressure in the male's environment
However, all genotypes in existence are not the result of natural selection
Mutations Artificial Selection
Genetic Drift
Random change in allele frequency in small/ reduced populations loss of genetic variation small populations/ endangered species - greater risk!
mInbreeding
mating between relatives increases the frequency of homozygous individuals loss of genetic variation small populations/ endangered species- greater risk !
Speciation
New species are often produced when environments change significantly Humans and pre-human species originated and diversified during a period of considerable environmental change in tropical Africa. Similar pressures affected our nearest living relatives (Chimps and Bonobos)
Evolution occurs at the level of the .......
POPULATION; New species can form due to isolation of populations. Later, when populations reunite, evolved reproductive barriers prevent viable offspring from developing
Did natural selection result in the evolution of Bonobos or was it something else?
YES; changes in the environment resulted in selection pressure for certain traits
Evolution occurs.. at the individual level at the population level at the community level at the ecosystem level
at the population level
Why is the ability to evolve so important?
Adapt to changing environments We must maintain variation in natural populations so populations can evolve via natural selection
Speciation Factors
long linear change due to environmental changes splitting into 2 populations through distribution in different areas (geographic isolation) Reproductive isolation- if geographic isolation is long enough then 2 groups may no longer interbreed and begin to diverge because of different sel…

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