Microevolution and Evolutionary Theories

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to microevolution and evolutionary theories from the lecture notes.

What is microevolution?

Microevolution is defined as a change in the frequency of alleles from one generation to the next.

Who proposed the theory of evolution by transformation?

Jean Baptiste Lamarck proposed the theory of evolution by transformation.

What are the three assumptions of natural selection?

1) Species exhibit variation 2) Variation has to be heritable 3) Some individuals survive & reproduce more than others.

What is the difference between Lamarck's and Darwin's theories?

Lamarck's theory involves organisms striving for traits, while Darwin's theory emphasizes natural selection.

What mechanisms drive evolution?

Natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, migration (gene flow), and sexual selection.

What does Darwin mean by 'Descent with Modification'?

It refers to the process by which species evolve over time, sharing common ancestry.

What is the role of DNA in evolution?

DNA serves as the genetic material through which traits are inherited and contribute to evolutionary processes.