E4 - Artificial Selection Flashcards
what is one thing gentic variation is important for?
-important to the long term survival of species
Mutation are a source of_____
genetic variation and new genetic info
Neutral mutations
provide no benefit or harm to the individual
Like if the mutation is in “junk” DNA
Harmful mutations
reduce the reproductive success of the organism
Like Turner’s Syndrome
Beneficial mutations
produce a change that gives the individual an advantage
Like Drug Resistant Bacteria
Intsecticide resistance
- modern bugs have survived pesticides
-peopel use heat and vaccums to get rid of bugs
impacts on human health with mutations
Some mutations have serious consequences on human health
For example, even viruses carry genetic information even though they are not “alive”
This means they are also genetically variable and therefore can change over time
Sometimes these mutations can increase the viruses virulence or ability to spread
Every year we try and predict these changes so that effective vaccines can be developed
-scientist are trying to make a universal flushot
- heads of proteins on viruses can mutate which is why we need a new flu shot every year
Selective Breeding
Domestication is the changing of members of a species to suit human needs through controlled captive breeding
- ontrolled captive breeding process is referred to as artificial selection
Examples would include the domestication of dogs from wolves or wild sea cabbage to modern vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli
how does selective breeding work?
When a trait that is ideal is observed, that plant is chosen to reproduce
This means that the trait is more likely to show up in the next generation
For example, when Aboriginals domesticated the tomato, they selected seeds from plants that had larger and tastier fruit
These plants would be cross pollinated and therefore large and tasty tomatoes became more and more common over time
TRUE OR FALSE: Artificial selection can also produce individuals far beyond the natural variability within the original population
TRUE
-For example, there were no Chihuahua sized wolves in the original wild wolf population!
Why do we need to be careful with artifical selection
artificial selection can reduce genetic diversity
This loss of diversity can make the populations more vulnerable to disease or extinction
Uniformitarianism
the theory that
geological changes are slow and gradual
and that natural laws and processes have
not changed over time
- Lyell made this theory
Catastrophism
the theory that the pattern
of fossils could be accounted for by a
series of global catastrophes that wiped
out most species on Earth
-Cuvier made the theory
Fossil Formation
Animals that die have to go under specific correct conditioning to become a fossil
To become a fossil an animal must first be covered by layers of sediment
Overtime minerals permeate through the sediment and crystalize the non decomposed remains(the bones)
When this happens mineral deposits fill the space left by the original structure
The pressure caused by the upper layers of sediment cause this structure to turn to rock forming a fossil
Another way a fossil can form is through coating a subject in a non-porous coating such as amber
Reading the Fossil Record
Study of fossil organisms is called paleontology: the scientific investigation of prehistoric life through the study of fossils
Scientist charles lyell and georges cuvier worked to cogeth to wealth of info for how earth and its species change over time
