Introduction to Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards based on the key terms and concepts from the evolution notes.

Sexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction involving the combination of genetic material from two parents, leading to increased genetic variation but associated with costs such as time and energy.

Asexual Reproduction

A method of reproduction where an organism can reproduce without the need for a mate, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent.

Muller's Ratchet

A concept in evolutionary biology that describes how asexual lineages accumulate harmful mutations irreversibly over time.

Fisher-Muller Hypothesis

The idea that sexual reproduction speeds up adaptation by allowing beneficial mutations to combine more quickly through recombination.

Red Queen Hypothesis

The evolutionary hypothesis that organisms must continuously evolve to survive against ever-evolving opposing organisms, such as parasites.

Two-fold Cost of Sex

The idea that sexual reproduction is less efficient than asexual reproduction because only half of the parent's genes are passed on to offspring.

Anisogamy

The condition of producing gametes of different sizes, typically large eggs and small sperm.

Isogamy

The condition of producing equal-sized gametes, where both eggs and sperm are similar in size.

Sexual Selection

A form of natural selection in which certain traits increase an individual's chances of attracting mates.

Altruism

Behavior by an individual that increases the fitness of another individual while decreasing the fitness of the actor.

Kin Selection

A form of natural selection that favors altruistic behaviors towards relatives, thus increasing the survival of shared genes.

Hamilton's Rule

A principle stating that a behavior is favored by natural selection if the benefit to the recipient, multiplied by the degree of relatedness, exceeds the cost to the actor.

Hawk-Dove Game

A theoretical model in evolutionary biology representing conflict strategies between two types of individuals, aggressive (Hawks) or passive (Doves).

Coevolution

The process in which two or more species influence each other's evolutionary trajectory.

Mutualism

A type of interaction between species where both parties benefit from the relationship.

Mimicry

Evolutionary adaptation where one species evolves to resemble another species for protection or other advantages.

Virulence

The degree of harm or damage a pathogen can cause to its host.

Trade-Off Theory of Virulence

The hypothesis that virulence in pathogens is balanced by the need to transmit efficiently while minimizing host mortality.

Senescence

The gradual deterioration of function characteristic of aging organisms.

Rate of Living Hypothesis

The theory suggesting that the rate of metabolism determines the rate of aging; however, it cannot fully account for lifespan variations among species.

Two fold cost of sex

The concept that sexual reproduction incurs a fitness cost compared to asexual reproduction, as it typically reduces the number of offspring an organism can produce.

Unpredictable environments:

Favor sex because genetically variable offspring are more likely to survive environmental change.

intrasexual

selection refers to competition among individuals of the same sex for mates, influencing traits associated with reproductive success.

intersexual

selection refers to the preference of one sex for certain characteristics in individuals of the opposite sex, influencing mating success and trait evolution.

Four models of female mate choice:

1. Direct benefits model

   2. Good genes model

   3. Fisherian runaway model

   4. Sensory bias model

Models of intrasexual selection:

1. Resource control model 2. Combat model 3. Alternative mating strategies model 4. Advertised strength model

Sexual conflict:

occurs when the reproductive interests of males and females diverge, leading to evolutionary arm races between the sexes.

Calculating relatedness:

Determining the genetic similarity between individuals, often used in the context of kin selection to assess the likelihood of altruistic behavior.

Haig’s tug-of-war:

A model describing the conflict between paternal and maternal genes in offspring development, highlighting divergent interests regarding resource allocation and fitness.

Modes of information sharing:

Refers to the various methods by which genetic and phenotypic information is transmitted between individuals, influencing evolutionary dynamics.

Antagonistic:

A term describing interactions in which one gene's expression reduces the fitness or success of another gene, often seen in the context of competition between maternal and paternal alleles.

Batesian vs. Müllerian mimicry:

Two types of mimicry in which harmless species (Batesian) imitate the warning signals of harmful species (Müllerian) to avoid predation. Both strategies enhance survival by exploiting predator behavior.

Deep coalescence:

A process in evolutionary biology where gene trees do not match species trees due to incomplete lineage sorting, leading to discrepancies between genetic and species ancestry.

Wrangham’s Cooking Hypothesis:

A theory proposing that the development of cooking played a crucial role in human evolution by making food easier to digest, increasing energy availability, and influencing social structures.

Wrangham’s Cooking Hypothesis:

The idea that cooking food was a significant factor in human evolution, enhancing nutrient absorption and fostering social interactions.

Neanderthals & Denisovans:

ancient human species closely related to modern humans, contributing to our genetic diversity.

1. Why we’re vulnerable (6 explanations):

1. A set of explanations that highlight why humans are susceptible to various health issues and evolutionary pressures.
   
   

   • Mismatch, pathogen evolution, trade-offs, constraints, conflicts, protective responses.
     
     

Pathogen advantages:

Characteristics that allow pathogens to survive and thrive, such as rapid reproduction, adaptability, and the ability to evade host immune responses.

Phylogenetic constraint:

limitations on evolutionary pathways due to historical factors in an organism's lineage, affecting its traits and adaptations.