29. Intro to evolution

Question 1

Define evolution

Answer 1

Evolution - change in the genetic conposition of a population from one generation to the next

Question 2

What are the key evolutionary processes?

Answer 2

• Mutations
• Migration (gene flow between populations when individuals move but not seasonal migration)
• Genetic drift (specific gene passed on to next generation - accidental sampling - not phenotypic genes)
• Natural selection (phenotypic differences influence the next generations genetic makeup)

Question 3

What is microevolution?

Answer 3

Microevolution - study of evolution in terms of population changes

As populations evolve - related populations diverge -> divergance can lead to speciation (formation of new species)

Question 4

What is macroevolution?

Answer 4

Macroevolution - studies the broad-scale evolutionary patterns

Macroevolution driven by microevolution

Need to consider environmental changes as well

Question 5

Explain Lamarckian evolution

Answer 5

Pre - Darwin evolutionist, argued that species changed by improving as they evolved but thought that each species started with a spontaeous generation

Complexity (scale of organisation) increases with time

Doesn’t predict divergence as Darwin and does not explain the mechanism for organisms to get better

Question 6

Explain Darwinian evolution

Answer 6

Darwin’s statement: “All the organic beings which have evr lived on this earth have descended from one primordial from”

Darwin introduced speciation and radial divergence

Competition for survival - naturl selection

Question 7

Explain Darwinian descent with modification

Answer 7

Question 8

How Darwinian Descent with modification statements were explained by Darwin

Answer 8

Question 9

Who co-discovered natural selection

Answer 9

Lost his samples in a ship wreck

But no beef - Wallace coined the term “Darwinism”

Question 10

What is the evolution beyond Darwin?

Answer 10