Lactase Persistence and Evolutionary Biology

These flashcards cover key concepts related to lactase persistence, natural selection, evolutionary biology, and related vocabulary.

What is lactase persistence?

Lactase persistence is the continued expression of the enzyme lactase in adults, allowing them to digest lactose in dairy products.

What is the theory of natural selection?

Natural selection is the process whereby organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.

What were Darwin's four observations that led to the idea of natural selection?

1) Individuals within populations vary, 2) Some variation can be passed to offspring, 3) Organisms produce more offspring than can survive, 4) Survival and reproduction are not random.

What does 'survival of the fittest' mean?

It refers to the idea that individuals better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the propagation of their traits.

What are vestigial traits?

Vestigial traits are nonfunctional or greatly reduced traits that serve as evidence of evolution and common ancestry.

What is the Modern Synthesis in evolutionary biology?

The Modern Synthesis is the union of genetics and natural selection, explaining how changes in gene frequency over time can lead to evolution.

How does biogeography relate to evolution?

Biogeography studies the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time, providing evidence for evolution.

What is artificial selection?

Artificial selection is the process in which humans select specific traits in plants and animals for breeding, showcasing human influence on evolution.

How do lactase persistence and pastoralism coevolve?

Lactase persistence and pastoralism coevolved as humans began to farm and domesticate animals, leading to dietary reliance on milk and the selective advantage of being able to digest it.

What is convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated species due to adapting to similar environments.