Biological Change Over Time Flashcards
What are the original sources of genetic variation?
Mutations are the original sources of variation. They change genetic information.
What are the three types of mutations?
Neutral, lethal, advantageous
What are neutral mutations? Give example.
They are mutations that do not result in an advantage or disadvantage. An example would be beauty marks on a humans skin. They are neutral mutations.
What are harmful mutations? Give example.
They are mutations that reduce reproductive success and is selected against. Harmful mutations do not accumulate over time. An example of this would be extra body parts on animals.
What are beneficial mutations?
Are mutations that gives the individuals increased reproductive success as well as a selective advantage. An example of this can be dogs with enhanced sense of smell.
What is domestication?
It is the changing of members of a species to fit human needs through controlled captive breeding.
What is domestication referred to as?
Artificial selection.
Why is it called artificial selection?
Artificial : it is through captivity, not in a natural setting
Selection : humans choose which animal are bred
Why are certain animals chosen over other animals in the same species?
Individuals with the most desired trait will be selected so their offspring will carry their genetic information over.
How does breeding work?
Farmers start with a large number of individuals that have their desired trait. They find the individual that exhibits this trait strongest. From there they breed these individuals for the next generation and the process is continued.
Can breeders create new traits?
No they cannot create anything that doesn’t already exist.
