Wildlife Bio - Intro

Proximate/Mechanism

How do modern-day animals carry out their physiological functions?

Ultimate/Origin

Why do modern-day animals possess the features that they do?

Evolution

A change in gene frequencies over time in a population

Processes resulting in a change in gene frequencies

1. Mutation

2. Gene flow

3. Genetic drift

4. Natural selection

Adaptation

Result of natural selection. Confers a greater probability of survival and successful reproduction. They are not necessarily an optimum or ideal state. Emerges slowly over time in a population and is generally not reversible within the individual.

Acclimatization

Functional compensation over a period of days to weeks in response to stimuli. Usually reversible within the individual.

Acclimation

Functional change over a period of days to weeks when variables are manipulated experimentally (controlled setting). Usually reversible.