Biology A2 Flashcards
Which two factors affect genetic variation in populations? and how?
genetic drift and natural selection. Genetic drift occurs in small populations. Natural selection occurs to enhance the survival and fitness of offspring
What is genotype?
the genetic constitution of an organism
What is phenotype?
The expression of the genetic constitution of an organism and its interaction with the environment
What test is used to compare observed with expected ratios?
chi-squared
What is a population?
a group of organisms of the same species occupying a particular space at a particular time that could potentially interbreed
What is the Hardy-Weinberg equation?
p^2+2pq+q^2=1
What is the primary source of genetic variation? Name another source.
Mutation. Random fertilisation of gametes
What leads to differential survival and reproduction (i.e. natural selection)?
predation, disease and competition
What is a gene pool?
the complete range of alleles present in a population, how often the allele occurs is the allele frequency
What is stabilising selection?
Where individuals with alleles for characteristics toward the mid-range are more likely to survive and reproduce, it occurs when the environment is not changing and reduces the number of possible phenotypes, narrows the bell curve.
What is directional selection?
Where individuals with alleles for a single extreme phenotype are more likely to survive and reproduce, this could be in response to an environmental change. Bell curve moves towards the left or right.
What is disruptive selection?
Where individuals with extreme phenotypes are more likely to survive and reproduce, it is the opposite of stabilising selection because characteristics towards the mid range are lost. This occurs when the environment favours more than one phenotype.
What is speciation?
The development of a new species from an existing one.
When does speciation occur?
When populations become reproductively isolated so the allele frquency changes in the phenotype so they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
What causes reproductive isolation?
A physical barrier - allopatric
Or random mutation which prevents interbreeding - sympatric
Describe the process of allopatric speciation
geographical isolation
separate gene pools
differential selection
allele frequencies change as mutations will occur independently in each population
Over time they become so different that they cannot interbreed
Describe the process of sympatric speciation.
Not geographically isolated
reproductive isolation due to mutation
gene pools kept separate
changes in allele frequency
cannot interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
What is genetic drift?
When chance dictates which alleles are passed on rather than environmental factors
Describe the process of genetic drift.
Individuals within a population show variation in their genotypes
By chance the allele for one genotypes is passed on to more offspring than others so the allele frequency of that allele increases
If by chance the same allele is passed on again and again it can lead to evolution as the allele becomes more common in the population
When is genetic drift more likely?
small populations
Why do individuals within a population of a species show variation?
Differents alleles
Mutations may occur
Variation in the environment like food or climate.
Why is genetic drift only important in small popualtions?
Chance has a greater influence whilst in larger populations chance factors would even out across the whole population
How does speciation lead to greater diversity?
To start with there was one species
Over time the population experienced reproductive isolation and evolved into separate species, the new species then divided again, and this happened over a long period of time.
What is the difference between a population and an ecosystem?
An ecosystem contains non-living components
What is carrying capacity?
The size of the population of a species that an ecosystem can support.
Why may population size vary?
abiotic factors
interactions between organisms: interspecific and intraspecific competition and predations
How can the size of a population be estimated?
Randomly placing quadrates or quadrats along a belt transect for slow-moving, non-motile organisms.
OR mark-release-recapture for motile organisms.
What assumptions are made for the mark-release recapture method?
the marked sample has had enough time and oppourtunity to mix back in with the population
Marking has not affected the individuals chance of survival
There are no changes to the environemnt due to births, deaths or migration
What equation is used to work out population when mark-release-recapture is used?
(number caught 1st x number caught 2nd)/ marked number in second sample
Ecosystems are ?
dynamic - meaning constantly changing
What is succession?
The process by which an ecosystem changes over time.
Describe the process of primary succession.
Pioneer species that cope with harsh conditons grow.
The pioneer species change the abiotic conditons to make the conditions less hostile. Pioneer species may die and decompose to form soil. New species may make the environment less suitable for the pioneer species. At each stage, different plants and animals that are better suited for the environement move in and out compete plants and animals wthat are still there. Eventually, this results in a climax community which is when the ecosystem supports the largest and most complex community of lants and animals it can.
What is a pioneer species?
The first species to colonise the area
What is a climax community?
When the ecosystem is supporting the largest and most complex community of plants and animals
What is secondary succesions?
When land is cleared of plants and animals but soil still remains.
What does the conservation of habitats by humans frequently involve?
Management of succession e.g. mowing a lawn prevents shrubs from growing.
Describe some human conservation methods.
Seed banks
Captive breeding breeding near extincion in controlled environements and reintroducing. HE, reintroducing may lead to diseases being introduced to the natural environment.
Fishing quotas limit the amount of each fish species that a fisherman can fish, reduce the amount that can be fished. HE, limit potential income, some already dead fish are thrown back
Protected areas such as national park restrict urban development.
WHat is homeostasis in animals?
Physiological control systems that maintain the internal environment within certain limits
Why is it important to maintain a stable body temperature and blood pH?
enzyme activity
Why is it important to maintain blood glucose levels?
So there is good availability of respiratory substrates and to maintain the water potential of the blood.
What is the role of negative feedback systems?
restores systems back to their original level
A mechanism that amplifies a change in a way that normal levels change is a …
Positive feedback mechanism