Complex Adaptive Traits

Question 1

Mousetrap Argument

Answer 1

Argues that complex traits cannot evolve through natural selection because without all of their parts, they will not function; this argument tries to go against evolution

Question 2

Complex Adaptive Traits

Answer 2

Traits that are comprised of multiple components

Question 3

Advantageous Intermediates

Answer 3

Intermediate forms of the complex trait still provide an advantage in survival and thus are acted on by selection

Question 4

Exaptations (co-opting)

Answer 4

A trait used for one purpose is co-opted for a different purpose in the complex trait

Question 5

Genetic architecture of traits - Gene duplications

Answer 5

release constraints to evolve in the duplicate copy

Question 6

Pleiotropy

Answer 6

One gene affects multiple traits or one gene affects trait at multiple developmental stages