genetics and evolution lectures revision

theory

scientific explanation of a phenomenon, confirmed through observation and experimentation

hypothesis

tentative explanation that needs to be tested.

biological evolution

modifications passed through generations

stabilising selection

they favour intermediate traits like human birth weight

directional selection

drives change like antibiotic resistance

Disruptive selection

favours extreme traits - species divergence

phenotypic plasticity

the ability of an organism to express different phenotypes (changes in shape)

LUCA

represents the root of the tree of life, the most recent ancestor of all modern cellular life

importance of phenotype plasticity

it allows organisms to increase their survival and repoductive success

natural selection

favours organisms with traits better suited to their environment, leading to increased survival and reproduction.

Artificial selection

a human-driven process where desirable traits are chosen for reproduction

homologous structures

anatomical resemblances that occur between species because they have been inherited from a common ancestor.

speciation

Batesian mimicry

harmless species imitates a harmful one

Müllerian mimicry

harmful species share similar warning signals