biological changes overtime! (Evolution) Flashcards
What causes evolution?
What is the definition of evolution?
-> Genetic variation (Mutation)
->Mutations are the main causes of evolution:
A mutation is a change in the genetic information of an organisms (which can cause immediate and direct affects, which also affecting future generations)
-> Affects future generations due to inheritance.
Evolution is the process of change in living things over generations, trhough alterations of genetic material, resulting in new and diverse forms of life.
What are the three types of mutations? (Type of affects?)
How does this relation to evolution?
Neutral affect (Most common): No benefit or harm, therefore does not affect survival or reproduction.
–> You are not selected by natural selection (Neither best suited or worse suited for the environment)
-> I.E. hairline receeding
Harmful Affect (Which does not influence evolution): Reduction in organisms reproductive abilities and reduction in survival.
–> NOT selected by natural selection
–> Because you are unable to reproduce or survive, you cannot create offspring and pass the mutation down, therefore you **DO NOT affect evolution **
Benefital affect (Heavily influences evolution): A mutation that helps you survive and reproduce.
Ability to survive and reproduce = ability to create offspring with this mutation/trait, therefore influencing evolution
-> Selected by natural selection and you are variable to the environment (because you are able to survive)
What is genepool? And what is its signifcance?
Genepool: All the alleles that are current presented within a certain population (could be canada, a classroom, etc)
–> allows you to see the traits that can be inherited (that are presently presented within that pool) and the different combinations of alleles.
What is selective breeding?
2 types/terms: (explain them briefly)
- Domestication: (tools) (Can happen within plants and animals) Changing an organisms DNA/traits based on our wonts and needs (Happens through artifical selection)
- Artifical Selection: The process of humans intentionally breeding and animal or plant to produce an offspring with a desired trait. (happens in capitivty in a controlled manner)
“Aritifical” refers to the human interference/preference: humans dont necessarily need to choose the trait that is naturally desirable, just a trait they want)
–> Occurs in capitivity
Selection: refers to the favouritateable traits within that gene pool and the unfavouriateable traits within that genepool
-> Ability to choose that favouriable trait
How does selective breeding work?
(6 Main steps)
1) Species are kept and bred within capitivity
-> In a controlled environment
2) A large amount of the same organism from the same spieces is present with genetic diversity (larger gene pool to work with)
3) Choose a trait that is CURRENTLY present within the SPECIFIC population you have
4) Choose 2 organisms from your population that expresses that trait the most.
5) Breed the 2 organisms
6) Continue choosing and breeding organisms, until you produce the organism that you want
-> Once that organism you produce is “up to par” you can clone the organism.
What are the limitations to selective breeding?
1) You cannot breed for a gene that is not already present within your population (You must look for soemthing that already exisits) (Or you must genetically engineer what you want)
2) Any random mutations can happen (New genetic material to work with)
What are the unexpected results that can happen from selectively brreding?
Indivduals that exhibit traits far beyond the original population (as a result of a random mutation) , which inherietly crewates a new species from the original populatin
-> REDUCED genetic diversity (because you continue to look for certain traits, therefore many alleles that are linked to other versions of particular characteristics are reduced or elimated)
What are the consquences of selective breeding?
Other genes apart from the gene/trait your selectively breeding for can be negativelly affected.
-> Bulldog: (Squished/cute face) (Many respiratory problems)
General consquences of evolution: (Understanding perspectives)
-> Evolution/changes within the DNA sequence amongst generations can be positive for one group, but negative for the other group.
-> I.E Resistance Bacteria
Resistant bacteria is resistant to antibiotics, which means they are able to thrive within their carrier and reproduced. (Positive)
For humans, this can lead to worse health, flus and viruses, which is a negative.
->This is the reason why we have new flu shots every year.
How does mutations link/connect to evolution (why is it so extremely significant?)
Mutations are the original source of genetic variation, it creates new genes = new genetic information to work with.
But in general, genetic variation means that organisms are different from each other, therefore because of there differences some are more likely to survive and reproduce than others, which means that there traits are (usually) inherited by more offspring, and the cycle continues.
How is it possible that neutral mutations play a role in the evolution of species?
Neutral mutations refers to a change within your DNA that does not harm you or benefit you.
But, it provides the species with genetic diversity. (Makes the species all different from each other).
Evolution happens because of genetic variations and the accumluation of traits. Therefore, despite neutral mutations having no benefit, it provides genetic diversity within a population, which allows the benefical traits to be better/stand out. (For benefitual traits to be good, you need something to compared for it)
What is the hypothesis of artifical selection?
“Breeding selected indivduals with certain favoured traits will result in the favoured traits becoming more prevelant”
