BIOL1111 - Chapter 16 (W2) handout 2

Page 1

• Course Title: BIOL-1111 (Biological Diversity)

• Professor: Dr. Pitcher

• Key Topics:

  • Evolutionary biology

  • Population ecology

  • Community ecology

  • Ecosystems

  • Conservation of biodiversity

  • Animal behaviour

Page 2

• Course Outline for Winter 2025:

  • Lectures:

    • Section 1: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 AM - 12:50 PM (Centre for Engineering and Innovation 1100)

    • Section 2: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM (Erie Hall 1120)

  • Office Hours:

    • Wednesdays 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (virtual only starting Jan 15, 2025)

  • Contact: biol1111@uwindsor.ca for course-related queries.

  • Laboratories:

    • Attendance required for registered section only.

    • Lab schedule and materials found on Brightspace.

  • Term Tests:

    • Test 1: February 6

    • Test 2: March 4

  • Final Exam: Date TBD by registrar's office.

Page 3

• Textbook:

  • Required:

    • Russell, P.J. et al. Biology Exploring the Diversity of Life, 5th Canadian Edition.

    • Digital copy: $120; used hardcover: $150; new hardcover: $250.

  • Evaluation:

    • Test 1: 25%, Test 2: 25%, Final Exam: 40%, Laboratories: 10% (5 labs worth 2% each).

  • Missed Evaluations: Must inform instructor prior for valid reasons; pro-ration rules apply.

  • Academic Integrity: Follow the University of Windsor’s code.

Page 4

• Lecture Schedule:

  • Topics and Dates:

    • Jan 7: Introduction to Course & Evolution

    • Jan 14: Microevolution

    • Feb 4: Term Test 1

    • Feb 11: Life History and Population Ecology

    • Mar 4: Term Test 2

    • After tests: Community Ecology, Ecosystems, Conservation, Animal Behaviour.

  • Notes: Textbook chapters and additional materials required for exams explained.

Page 5

• Laboratory Outline:

  • Coordinator: Candy Donaldson (candy@uwindsor.ca)

  • Attendance is mandatory, assignments must be completed independently.

  • Lab Schedule:

    • Lab 1: Evolutionary Biology

    • Lab 2: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Phylogeny

    • Lab 3: Scientific Papers

    • Lab 4: Plant Diversity

    • Lab 5: Protist Diversity

Page 6

• Chapter 16: Speciation-Mic Development of the Theory

Page 7

• Evolution Overview:

  • Central concept in biology; formulated by Charles Darwin during his expeditions.

  • Sections:

    • What is evolution?

    • Evidence for evolution via natural selection.

    • Development of evolution theory including misconceptions.

Page 8

• Definition of Evolution:

  • Originally "descent with modification".

  • Now: changes in allele frequencies in populations over time.

Page 9

• Natural Selection & Adaptive Evolution:

  • Key observations by Darwin:

    1. Overreproduction leads to struggle for existence.

Page 10

• Natural Selection Key Observations:

  • Individual variation exists and is heritable.

Page 11

• Inference of Natural Selection:

  • Differential reproductive success leads to evolution; examples include:

    • Pesticide resistance

    • Antibiotic resistance

    • Drug-resistant HIV

  • Modern synthesis integrates genetics and evolutionary biology.

Page 12

• Essentials of Evolution:

  • Variability and heritability are crucial for natural selection to operate.

Page 13-20

• Problems in Teaching Evolution:

  • Common misconceptions include beliefs about the nature of evolution, its mechanisms, and its implications.

Page 21-22

• Common Misconceptions about Evolution:

  • Evolution does not mean that organisms are always improving, nor is it directed or random.

Page 23-24

• Evidence regarding Evolution:

  • Evolution is a theory supported by various forms of evidence, including fossils and experimental data.

Page 25-27

• Applications of Evolution:

  • Critical in medicine, conservation, and understanding biological diversity.

Page 28

• Advanced Applications of Evolution:

  • Fields like conservation biology, food production, and evolutionary psychology benefit from evolutionary principles.

Page 29-30

• Misuse of Evolution:

  • Misinterpretations can lead to societal issues and ethical debates.

Page 31-34

• Questions regarding Evolution:

  • Understanding natural selection and the relevance of traits passed through generations.

Page 35-44

• Natural Selection Mechanisms:

  • Environmental factors and genetic variations determine which traits are advantageous for survival.

Page 45-60

• Darwin and the Theory of Evolution:

  • His observations led to significant insights on species diversity and relationships.

Page 61-74

• Historical Context:

  • Evolutionary thought progressed tremendously from past misconceptions and through the influence of various theorists.

Page 75-78

• Modern Synthesis:

  • Integration of various biological disciplines supports the understanding of evolution as a gradual process influenced by natural selection.

Page 79-99

• Evolution in Action:

  • Real-world observations using Darwin's finches to explain the mechanisms of natural selection through varying traits.

Page 100-114

• How Natural Selection Operates:

  • Detailed principles demonstrating how natural selection leads to evolutionary changes in populations, addressing misconceptions and redefining foundational postulates.

Course Title: BIOL-1111 (Biological Diversity)

Professor: Dr. PitcherKey Topics: This course will explore key components of biological diversity, including evolutionary biology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems, conservation of biodiversity, and animal behaviour.

Course Outline for Winter 2025

Lectures will be held in two sections: Section 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 12:50 PM at the Centre for Engineering and Innovation (Room 1100) and Section 2 from 1:00 PM to 2:20 PM at Erie Hall (Room 1120). Office hours for the course are scheduled for Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, conducted virtually starting January 15, 2025. For any course-related inquiries, contact can be made through biol1111@uwindsor.ca. Attendance in laboratories is mandatory for the registered section only, and the lab schedule along with materials can be accessed on Brightspace. The term tests are scheduled as follows: Test 1 on February 6, Test 2 on March 4, and a final exam, with the date to be determined by the registrar's office.

Textbook

The required textbook for this course is "Biology Exploring the Diversity of Life, 5th Canadian Edition" by Russell, P.J. et al. The costs for acquiring the textbook include a digital copy priced at $120, a used hardcover at $150, and a new hardcover at $250. Evaluation will be distributed as follows: Test 1 accounts for 25%, Test 2 for 25%, Final Exam for 40%, and Laboratories for 10% (with 5 labs worth 2% each). If evaluations are missed, students must inform the instructor ahead of time for valid reasons, as pro-ration rules will apply. Students are expected to adhere to the University of Windsor’s code of academic integrity.

Lecture Schedule

The topics and corresponding dates covered in lectures are as follows: January 7 will cover the Introduction to Course & Evolution, January 14 will address Microevolution, and February 4 marks Term Test 1. Following that, on February 11, Life History and Population Ecology will be discussed. March 4 is the date for Term Test 2, after which topics will include Community Ecology, Ecosystems, Conservation, and Animal Behaviour. Students should be aware that textbooks chapters and additional materials needed for the exams will be clarified later.

Laboratory Outline

Candy Donaldson serves as the laboratory coordinator, and students are reminded that attendance is compulsory, and assignments must be completed independently. The lab schedule is as follows: Lab 1 will focus on Evolutionary Biology, Lab 2 will cover Evolution, Taxonomy, and Phylogeny, Lab 3 will involve Scientific Papers, Lab 4 will focus on Plant Diversity, and Lab 5 will cover Protist Diversity.

Evolution Overview

The concept of evolution, formulated by Charles Darwin during his expeditions, is central to the study of biology. It encompasses the proceedings of what evolution entails, the evidence supporting it through natural selection, and the development of the evolutionary theory including prevalent misconceptions. Evolution, originally termed "descent with modification," is now defined as changes in allele frequencies in populations over time. The mechanisms of natural selection outlined observations by Darwin, including overreproduction which leads to a struggle for existence, alongside variations which exist and are heritable. Inferences drawn from natural selection indicate that differential reproductive success results in evolution, with real-world examples including pesticide resistance, antibiotic resistance, and drug-resistant HIV. The modern synthesis intertwines genetics with evolutionary biology, highlighting the essential roles of variability and heritability for natural selection.

Common misconceptions about evolution will be addressed, emphasizing that it does not imply that organisms are perpetually improving, nor is it directed or random. Furthermore, a vast array of evidence supports evolution as a theory, encompassing fossils and experimental data. The applications of evolution stretch into critical areas such as medicine, conservation, and the understanding of biological diversity. Advanced applications further showcase fields like conservation biology, food production, and evolutionary psychology, demonstrating the wide-ranging implications of evolutionary principles. Understanding natural selection, the environment's role, and genetic variations are essential in determining which traits confer advantages for survival. The course will delve into how natural selection operates and explore Darwin's insights into species diversity and relationships, while also examining historical context and the evolution of thoughts surrounding it. The integration of various biological disciplines through modern synthesis helps articulate evolution as a gradual process influenced by natural selection, exemplified through observations of Darwin's finches which illustrate the mechanisms driving natural selection and the diversity of traits within populations.

Finally, the course will provide a deep understanding of natural selection mechanisms and how these lead to evolutionary changes in populations, effectively addressing misconceptions while re-evaluating foundational postulates of evolution.