11. Evolution of Complexity

Question 1

All organisms have an inherent tendency to become more complex

Answer 1

Lamarck’s view of complexity

Question 2

Unit of natural selection

Answer 2

Genes - the unit of inheritance
AND
the Individual

Question 3

When an allele enhances its own transmission, spreading regardless of its effect on the individual’s fitness (selfish gene)

Answer 3

Meiotic drive

Question 4

Self-replicating segments of DNA, ensuring their own over-representation in offspring (selfish gene)

Answer 4

Transposable elements

Question 5

There is a balance between increasing the abundance of transposition by replication and reducing the abundance of transposition by natural selection against harmful effects on the organism

Answer 5

Transposition-selection balance theory

Question 6

New mutations in the mitochondria that make hermaphroditic plants male sterile can spread,, since they favour mitochondrial transmission

Answer 6

Cytoplasmic male sterility in plants