Darwinian Evolution and Natural Selection Overview Chapter 3 and 3

Evolution

Process Change over time

Biodiversity

Product All extant and extinct species

Natural Selection

Mechanism Survival (+ reproduction) of the fittest

Darwinian Fitness

Enhanced survival and reproduction of individuals with respect to other such organisms.

Population

A group of individuals of a species, live in same area/time

Species (Biological)

A population/group of populations whose members share characteristics, can breed with each other, and produce fertile offspring

Gene flow

Alleles move among populations, fertile individuals or gametes (Ex: pollen), tends to reduce variation among populations over time, holds a species together genetically

Mutation

Constantly taking place, most negative, some positive... → Adaptations!

Sexual reproduction

A source of genetic variation

Sexual Selection

Subset of Natural Selection, Sexual dimorphisms

Artificial Selection

Domestication of plants, animals, over 10,000 YA

Extinctions

Natural events

Evolution and Variation

Change in gene frequencies

Paleontology

Study of fossils

Fossil Record

Species remains, ancestral forms, change over time, extinctions

Comparative Anatomy

Study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

Vestigial Organs

Third molar, ear muscles, eyes in cave animals

Comparative Embryology

Study of the development of embryos from different species

Molecular Biology

Study of DNA, gene code, protein synthesis

Biogeography

Study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time

Endemism

Ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location

Colonization

Process of establishing a new population in a new area

Darwin's Life

Marked by times and family, wealthy, in love with nature, religious, shy, modest, hard worker, meticulous, prolific writer, adult fragile health

The Origin of Species

Darwin's book presenting his theory of evolution

Natural Theology

Belief that the existence of God can be inferred from nature

Modern Synthesis

Combination of Darwinian evolution and Mendelian genetics

Darwin's observations

Nature is prodigal, populations stable in size, resources are limited, individuals vary extensively, most variation is heritable