Chapter 29 - Evolutionary Genetics Flashcards
This is a heritable change in one or more characteristics of a population or species from one generation to the next
Biological evolution
This is relatively large change in form and function that is sufficient to produce new species and higher taxa
Macroevolution
This refers to the molecular changes in genetic material that underlie the phenotypic changes associated with evolution
Molecular evolution
Molecular data can provide information about these relationships
Phylogenetic relationships
This field of evolution integrates molecular genetics and how it affects traits in profound ways
Molecular evolution
What were the three important influences that helped Charles Darwin develop his theory of evolution?
- Theories of geology; 2. Experimental observations; 3. “Essay on the Principle of Population” by Thomas Malthus
What did Thomas Malthus assert with his “Essay on the Principle of Population”?
That resources cannot keep up with the reproductive potential of humans
When did Thomas Malthus write “Essay on the Principle of Population”?
1798
Who wrote “Essay on the Principle of Population” in 1798?
Thomas Malthus
This naturalist working in the East Indies independently proposed ideas concerning evolution that were similar to Darwin’s
Alfred Wallace
In what year did Darwin and Wallace both publish papers in the Proceedings of the Linnaean Society of London?
1858
In what year did Darwin publish On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
1859
What did Darwin call his theory of evolution?
“Theory of descent with modification through variation and natural selection”
Darwin’s theory of evolution is based on these two important principles
Genetic variation and natural selection
This is a consistent genetic feature of most natural populations
Genetic variation
Did Darwin know the genetic basis for inheritance of traits from parent to offspring?
No
At the microevolutionary level, genetic variation can involve these three things
- Allelic differences in genes; 2. Effect on function of proteins by different alleles; 3. Changes in chromosome number/structure that affect how genes are expressed
Do most species produce many more offspring than survive and reproduce?
Yes
This is the ultimate result of natural selection
A species better adapted to its environment/more efficient at reproduction
At the microevolutionary level, some alleles may encode proteins that provide an individual with this
Selective advantage
This is a group of organisms that maintains a distinctive set of attributes in nature
Species
When differences between populations are significant, but not enough to warrant classification as different species, they are classified as these
Subspecies
Bacterial species can be subdivided into these, each adapted to its local environment
Ecotype
What are five types of characteristics used to distinguish species?
- Physical/morphological traits; 2. Ability to interbreed; 3. Molecular features; 4. Evolutionary relationships; 5. Ecological factors
What are three reasons why it can be problematic to use morphological traits to define species?
- Difficult to decide which specific traits to use; 2. Quantitative traits - like size and weight - can vary widely between individuals of a same species; 3. Individuals of different species can look very similar
In the late 1920s, this scientist proposed that species have reproductive isolation from other species
Theodosius Dobzhansky
This scientist expanded on Dobzhansky’s work and proposed the biological species concept
Ernst Mayr
What is a species, according to the biological species concept?
A group of individuals whose members can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring