D4.1 Flashcards
Define natural selection.
Outline the observations and inferences that lead to the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Outline the theory of evolution by natural selection as an example of inductive reasoning.
Outline the theory of evolution by natural selection as an example of the correspondence, coherence and pragmatic theories of truth.
State that natural selection has operated continuously over billions of years, resulting in the biodiversity of life.
Explain why natural selection can only function if there is variation in a species.
Outline sources of genetic variation (mutation, meiosis and sexual reproduction).
Compare variation that results from mutation to that generated from sexual reproduction.
State that species have the ability to produce more offspring than the environment can support.
Use an example to illustrate the potential for overproduction of offspring in a population.
State two evolutionary benefits of overproduction of offspring.
Describe competition for resources as a consequence of overproduction of offspring.
Define carrying capacity
List examples of resources that may limit population size.
Compare direct and indirect competition.
Define selective pressure and density-independent.
State example biotic and abiotic selective pressures.
Outline how a selective pressure acts on the variation in a population.
Define adaptation and fitness.
Explain the effect of the selective pressure on the more and less adapted individuals in a population.
Explain adaptation as a consequence of natural selection.
Distinguish between heritable and acquired characteristics.
Explain why only heritable characteristics can be acted upon by natural selection.
Outline the two major mechanisms of sexual selection in evolution of courtship behavior and anatomical features.
Describe examples of sexual selection, including for color, size, and courtship behaviors.
Outline the selective pressures for and against coloration in guppies.
Summarize John Endler’s experiments with guppies which demonstrate selection for and against coloration in different habitats.
Explain what models are and their purposes in science.
Define gene pool, gene, allele and gene flow.
Describe how it is possible for multiple gene pools to exist in a single species.
Define allele frequency.
Calculate allele frequency from gene pool data.
Outline reasons when allele frequencies may be different in geographically isolated populations of the same species.
Use a database to search for allele frequency of a human gene.
Outline “neo-Darwinism” as the integration of genetic inheritance and the mechanism of natural selection.
State that change in the allele frequencies of a gene is evidence of evolution.
List processes that can change allele frequency in a population.
Explain how natural selection can lead to change in allele frequency in a gene pool.
Outline the change in allele frequencies associated with stabilizing, disruptive and directional selection.
Use graphs to illustrate or identify stabilizing, disruptive and directional selection.
Outline an example of stabilizing, disruptive and directional selection.
State the Hardy-Weinberg equations.
Given data, calculate allele frequencies of a gene in a gene pool.
Given data, calculate genotype frequencies of a gene in a gene pool.
List the conditions under which populations maintain Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Explain how comparison of allele frequencies between two isolated populations of the same species can serve as evidence that divergence is (or is not) occurring.
Explain how comparison of allele frequencies between one population at two points in time can serve as evidence that evolution is (or is not) occurring.
Define artificial selection.
Outline the mechanism of artificial selection in evolution of crop plants and domestic animals.
Describe an example of artificial selection of a crop plant or domestic animal.
