Genetic and Environmental Factors in Evolution and Adaptations

Variation

Differences in traits between individuals of the same species are known as variations.

Genetic traits

A trait that can be passed down from one generation to the next.

Acquired traits

A trait that is gained during an organism's lifetime.

Random mutations

Variation in genetic traits can arise through mutations in the DNA.

Beneficial mutations

Mutations that have a positive impact on an organism.

Harmful mutations

Mutations that have a negative impact on an organism.

Neutral mutations

Mutations that have no impact on an organism.

Evolution

Any change in the genetic traits in a population over many generations.

Population

A group of organisms from the same species living in the same place at the same time.

Genetic diversity

The amount of genetic variation in a population.

Importance of variation

For evolution to occur, a population must have genetic variation.

Survival of species

Genetic traits that aid survival gradually become more common in a population.

Environmental change

Genetic diversity helps a species survive when there is an environmental change.

Low genetic diversity

Populations with low genetic diversity are unlikely to survive an environmental change.

High genetic diversity

Populations with high genetic diversity are likely to survive the environmental change.

Dimples

An example of a genetic trait.

Ability to play netball

An example of an acquired trait.

Eye colour

An example of a genetic trait.

Ability to speak French

An example of an acquired trait.

Ability to walk

An example of an acquired trait.

King Penguins

An example of a population of organisms from the same species.

Natural selection

The process by which traits that help an organism survive and reproduce increase in frequency in a population over generations.

Selection pressures

Factors that affect the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce, such as predation, access to resources, environmental factors, vulnerability to diseases, and human activity.

Peppered moth

A species with two variations, white and black, whose population dynamics changed due to environmental changes during the Industrial Revolution.

Predation

A selection pressure where the presence of predators affects the survival and reproduction of prey species.

Adaptations

Features that different species have developed to help them survive in their environment.

Behavioural adaptations

Changes in the way an organism behaves that enhance its survival and reproduction.

Physiological adaptations

Internal body processes that enhance an organism's ability to survive in its environment.

Structural adaptations

Physical features of an organism that enhance its ability to survive in its environment.

Industrial Revolution

A period that caused significant environmental changes, affecting the coloration and survival of the peppered moth.

Soot

A byproduct of the Industrial Revolution that darkened the trees and affected the camouflage of the peppered moth.

Gene for black wing colour

The genetic trait passed from black peppered moths to their offspring, contributing to the increase in their population.

Cleaner environment

A state that occurred after pollution levels lowered, allowing white peppered moths to become more prominent again.

Access to resources

A selection pressure that includes availability of food, shelter, and mates necessary for survival and reproduction.

Environmental factors

Conditions such as temperature and weather that can influence survival and reproduction of species.

Vulnerability to diseases

A selection pressure that affects the survival of organisms based on their susceptibility to illnesses.

Human activity

Actions such as hunting and pollution that can create selection pressures affecting species survival.

Frequency of genetic traits

The prevalence of specific traits in a population that can increase or decrease due to selection pressures.

Survival and reproduction

The fundamental processes that natural selection acts upon to influence the frequency of traits in a population.

Outline the 4 steps of natural selection

A task to summarize the process of natural selection, which includes variation, competition, survival, and reproduction.

Examples of selection pressures

Two factors, other than predation, that affect the survival and reproduction of organisms.

Success Criteria

The benchmarks used to measure the understanding and ability to explain concepts related to natural selection.

Population variations

A population contains variations in genetic traits that come from random mutations.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism to survive and reproduce.

Advantageous adaptations

Adaptations that are beneficial to an organism and are passed on to the next generation.

Structural adaptation

A physical feature of the body.

Behavioural adaptation

A behaviour or action that helps an organism survive.

Physiological adaptation

An internal body process that aids in survival.

Spikes of the thorny devil

Used for collecting water, demonstrating a structural adaptation.

Sharp claws

Used for hunting, an example of structural adaptation.

Webbed feet

Facilitates swimming, showcasing a structural adaptation.

Dam building by beavers

A behavioural adaptation that protects them from predators.

Migration

A behavioural adaptation where animals move to avoid harsh conditions.

Hibernation

A behavioural adaptation that allows organisms to survive unfavorable conditions.

Venom of snakes

Used for killing prey, illustrating a physiological adaptation.

Concentrating urine

A physiological adaptation that helps conserve water.

Vestigial pelvic bone in whales

Indicates that whales may have had the ability to walk in the past, providing evidence of evolution.

Fossils

Remains of extinct organisms that provide evidence of their existence.

Comparing genetic traits

Involves analyzing traits, such as feathers in dinosaurs, to understand evolution.

Comparing DNA

Involves examining genetic material to determine evolutionary relationships.

Mutation

Changes in DNA that cause variation between species.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Species

A group of organisms that can produce fertile, viable offspring.

Common Ancestor

A species from which two or more species have evolved.

Tree of Life

A diagram representing relationships between species, showing how they evolved from common ancestors.

Phylogenetic Tree

A tree of life diagram that illustrates the evolutionary relationships among species.

Hominins

Human-like species and species closely related to them, including modern humans.

Upright Posture

A characteristic feature of hominins allowing them to stand and walk on two legs.

Bipedal Movement

Walking on two legs, a key feature of hominins.

Larger Brains

A common feature of hominins, indicating increased cognitive abilities.

Specialised Tool Use

The ability to create and use tools for specific purposes, characteristic of hominins.

Communication through Language

The ability to convey information and ideas using complex language, a trait of hominins.

Australopithicus afarensis

A hominin species that lived 3.85-2.95 million years ago in Eastern Africa, with a brain size of 380-430 cm³.

Australopithicus africanus

A hominin species that lived 3.3-2.1 million years ago in Southern Africa, with a brain size of 400-500 cm³.

Homo habilis

A hominin species that lived 2.41-1.4 million years ago in Eastern and Southern Africa, with a brain size of 550-687 cm³.

Homo erectus

A hominin species that lived 1.89 million years to 143,000 years ago in various regions, with a brain size of 600-1000 cm³.

Homo neanderthalensis

A hominin species that lived 400,000 to 40,000 years ago in Europe and Asia, with a brain size of 1600 cm³.

Hominin Height Trend

The observation that hominin height has been increasing over time.

Hominin Brain Size Trend

The observation that hominin brain size has been increasing over time.

who proposed evolution? 

Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace

what is an adaptation

Different species have different features that help them to survive in its environment

what is artificial