Ecology and Evolution Flashcards
Phylogeny
A branching tree depicting evolutionary relationships among organisms with a common ancestor
Evolution
Change in allele frequency across generations
Allele
One of two or more versions of DNA sequence at a given genomic location. An individual inherits 2 alleles, if they are the same the individual is homozygous.
Genetic changes in quantitative traits
Are controlled by changes in allele frequency at multiple genes and are often heavily influenced by the environment
Genomic
A physical site or location within a genome, ( All the genetic material in an organism), such a Gene or DNA segment.
Eukaryote
A cell containing membrane bound organelles and are the basis for both unicellular species.
- 8.7 million eukaryotic species
Prokaryote
Cells do not have any membrane bound organelles and are always part of unicellular organisms
Genetic variation
The presence of differences in sequences of genes between individual organisms of a species. It enables natural selection, one of the primary forces driving the evolution of life
Key mechanisms of evolution
- Mutation
- Genetic drift
- Natural selection
- Sexual selection
- Gene flow
- Mutation
A change in DNA sequence of an organism. Mutations can result from errors in DNA replication during cell division, exposure to mutagens or a viral infection. Ultimate source of all genetic variation. Mutations can change the genetic code, which generates new alleles, which may change the amino acid sequences or alter gene expression, which may have phenotypic effects.
- Genetic drift
The change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random change, it may cause gene variant to disappear completely and thereby reduce genetic variation.
- Natural selection
Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success. This process causes species to change and diverge over time
- Sexual selection
Sexual selection is the process by which individuals compete for access to mates and fertilization opportunities.
- Intra- sexual: male- male competition
- Inter- sexual: female choice
Secondary sexual traits evolve as a compromise between natural and sexual selection.
- gene flow
Movements of genes among populations. Often opposes of divergent natural selection
The drunkard’s walk
the role of randomness in everyday events