Lecture on Darwin and Evolution

Flashcards covering key concepts related to Darwin's theory of evolution, microevolution, macroevolution, genetic variations, and the impact of environmental changes on species.

What is microevolution?

A change in gene frequency within a population.

Who proposed the theory of natural selection?

Charles Darwin proposed the mechanism for evolution called natural selection.

What is the primary mechanism of evolution according to Darwin?

Natural selection is the basic mechanism of evolution.

What is evolution defined as?

Evolution is defined as a change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

What is an adaptation?

An adaptation is a genetically controlled trait that is favored by natural selection and gives the organism a reproductive advantage.

What does evolutionary fitness refer to?

Evolutionary success or fitness refers to the contribution of genes to the gene pool and not how long an organism lives.

How does environmental change affect traits or adaptations?

Traits or adaptations that were favorable may become unfavorable due to changes in the environment.

What is artificial selection?

Artificial selection is when humans manipulate a gene pool, often leading to reduced genetic diversity.

What do mutations contribute to?

Mutations provide the raw material for evolution and can create genetic variation.

What is the effect of sexual reproduction on gene pools?

Sexual reproduction recombines genes in new ways, resulting in unique offspring that contribute to genetic variation.

What role does natural selection play in evolution?

Natural selection acts on individuals, but only populations evolve, influencing the frequency of traits based on their reproductive success.

What is a frameshift mutation?

A frameshift mutation occurs due to the insertion or deletion of nucleotides, changing the amino acid sequence from that point forward.

What does the term 'gene pool' refer to?

The sum total of all the genes in a given species.

What is the relationship between gene duplication and evolution?

Gene duplication allows for mutations in the duplicated gene to accumulate, potentially leading to new functions and evolution.

What are 'super bugs'?

Super bugs are multidrug-resistant bacteria that do not respond to standard antibiotics due to mutations.

Why is the peppered moth an example in the study of evolution?

The peppered moth demonstrates how environmental changes can shift allele frequencies in a population due to natural selection.

What is the significance of the industrial revolution in the context of the peppered moth?

The industrial revolution changed the environment, leading to a shift in the peppered moth population from light to dark due to increased pollution.

What does the term 'allelic frequency' refer to?

Allelic frequency is the percent occurrence of a given allele in a population.

What is macroevolution?

Macroevolution is evolution on a scale of separated gene pools, often resulting in the formation of new species.

How can human activities impact gene pools?

Human activities can augment genetic drift and reduce gene flow, diminishing genetic variation and disrupting adaptation.