Classification & Genetic Diversity (Miss Reynolds) Flashcards
Genetic Diversity
The number of different alleles of a gene in a population.
Natural Selection
Individuals of a population that are best suited to their environment survive + reproduce. The beneficial alleles are most likely to pass on to the next generation.
Evolution
Change in allele frequency over time.
Why does variation of alleles exist?
As a result of mutation.
What are the three ways adaptations can be described?
Anatomical, physcological and behavioural.
Antibiotic Resistance
When an antibiotic no longer has an effect on a certain strain of bacteria.
Adaptation
Organisms adjust to suit the changing environment by natural selection.
What does conjugation allow?
Genes for antibiotic resistance and other characteristics to be exchanged by horizontal gene transfer.
Is conjugation a form of sexual reproduction?
No
What are the two ways diversity in bacteria occur?
Mutations and conjugation.
Antibiotic
A substance produced by a living organism that destroys or inhibits growth or microorganisms.
How is antibiotic resistance passed?
Both vertically and horizontally.
Vertical evolution
From one generation to the next.
Horizontal evolution
Via conjugation and exchange of plasmids.
Classification
Organising living organisms into groups.
How many living organisms exist we know of?
About 1.8 million.
Artificial Classification
Divides organisms by physical characteristics such as size.
Phylogenic Classification
Based upon the evolutionary relationships, classifies using shared features derived from ancestors.
Phylogeny
Evolutionary relationship between organisms.
Directional Selection
Selection away from the mean often due to an environmental change.
Stabilising Selection
Selection towards the mean, increases survival chances.
Species
Two organisms belong to the same species if they are able to reproduce and have fertile offspring.
Courtship Behaviour
A necessary precursor to successful mating, allows for species recognition.
