Genetics and evolution

Outline how Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection would not have worked, with the assumptions made within it

• Natural selection should drive any beneficial mutation to fixation, process gets rid of genetic mutation

• Blending inheritance destroys variation that exists

differentiate between types of mutation at the molecular level and how they influence phenotype

At the molecular level, mutations are broadly categorized into point mutations(single nucleotide changes) and frameshift mutations(insertions or deletions of nucleotides not in multiples of three). These changes affect phenotype by potentially altering the structure and function of the resulting protein. beneficial mutations allow positive selection, neutral mutations have no effect on phenotype and deleterious mutations cause purifying election (alter protein to make it function less well)

argue for and against the proposition that natural selection

m

m