BIOL2141IntroductoryLecture

What is evolution?

Changes in allele frequency over time.

What did Darwin base his theory of natural selection on?

Over-reproduction and individual variation.

What are the essentials of evolution via NS?

All organisms vary genetically within a population, genetically based traits are passed on from one generation to the next, organisms with traits that are favourable to their survival live and pass on their genes to the next generation. and evolution can happen in a few generation but major change often takes long periods of time.

Two main ideas of evolutoin?

Microevolution, which is small changes over small periods of time, and macroevolution, which is large changes over large periods of time.

What is some evidence of change through time?

Living species and fossil records.

What is some evidence of common ancestry?

Tree thinking, ring species, and homolgy.

What are two forms of descent with modification?

Micro and macroevolution. In microevolution, we can observe small scale changes and in macroevolution,

What are the four key postulates of Darwin’s theory of evolution by NS

Individuals from a population differ from each other, the differences are heritable, some individuals are more successful at survival and reproduction, and the success of individuals is due to inherited traits, not luck.

What is the consequence of evolution by NS?

Over generations, traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in the population.

What is Darwinian fitness?

An individual’s ability to survive and reproduce, passing on its traits to the next generation.

What is an adaptation?

A trait that increases an individual’s fitness, such as camoulaged fur/

Jones and Reithel’s Snapdragon Experiment (2001) - What is the purpose of the experiment?

To investigate whether natural selection by bumblebees could drive the evolution of flower colour in snapdragons.