ecology lecture 4 Flashcards
natural selection
the differential success (in terms of reproduction and survival) in organisms with different heritable traits resulting from the interaction of organisms with their environment; OR, the differential survival and reproduction of organisms such that those organisms best suited (or adapted) to their environment become more abundant. *sometimes there are conflicitng natural selection pressures. *end result of natural selection
natural selection works on what?
populations
adaptation
a heritable trait (which can be a physiological, morphological, or behavioral trait) that improves an organism’s ability to survive and/or reproduce under prevailing environmental conditions. Not all traits that animal/plant has are adaptions.
adapation can be a response to what?
abiotic and biotic factors
adaptation can help an organism to ?
survive and reproduce
heritable trait
any characteristic of an organism that is genetically controlled
chromosomes
the full set of DNA for an organism; the chromosomes are in every cell; the DNA codes for all proteins (and thus all heritable traits) that an organism has
evolution
change in the genetic makeup of a population over time resulting from natural selection. Evolution does not create progress or perfection. All evolution dependent upon genetic change.
chromosomes(2)
grouping of genes in plants/animals cells carry certain types of genetic information
Directional Selection
selection in one direction; where traits on one extreme are favored or traits at the other exterme are elimated [SHIFT toward other extreme. Giraffe short neck not reach leaves–so shift to favor long necks]
Diversifying/Disruptive selection
intermediate forms of a trait are selected against and the extreme forms of the trait are favored [selection pressure act against folks in middle of trait distribution. fish size, large size eats medium sized, small sneak around] ]
Stablizing selection
intermediate forms of a trait are favored and the extremes forms of the trait elminated [ selective pressures select against 2 extremes of a trait. color snails shells: white brown dark brown, beach is brown – so white and dark brown vanish
type/forms of natural selection?
graphical form: standard distribution of trait across population X=quantification trait (saying height) and Y=# individuals with a trait. Selection pressures act differently: stablizing selection, diversifying/disruptive selection, and directional.
gene*
each of these distinct pieces of DNA have instructions/codes called genetic information for making certain proteins.
genotype&phenotype
if a trait is produced from a gene or genes with varying alleles, several possiblites traits exists. The combination of alleles that make a particualr trait is genotype while trait expressed/observale characteristics is phenotype.
gene pool*
entire collection of genes within a given population. [Brandon: all alleles present in Population]. [individs in population will have only 1 pair of alleles for particular trait. Yet gene pool may contain dozens or even hundreds of alleles for this trait. Evolution=change in allele frequency over time[CLEP]
allele*
chromsomes carry genetic info. Most orgs have corresponding pairs of chromos that carry genes for same traits. Pairs=homologous chromosoms. Genes that produce given trait exist at same position(or locus) on homologous chromos. Each gene may have different forms=alleles. yellow and green seeds arrise from different alleles of same gene. CLEP
genome
of a species is made up of the entire sequence of DNA letters or base pairs that combine to spell out the chromosome in typical members.
meiosis (sexual reproduction)*
produces gamet cells with 1/2 genetic info of parents (paired chromosomes are separted & sorted independently. So each gamete may rx one of any # of combinations of each parents chromsomes. 2)process producing 4 haploid 9single chromosome gamete cells) from one parent diploid (double chromsome) cell
differential reproduction*
phenomemon in which individs w/ adaptive genetic traits produce more living offspring than do indivds w/o such traits
speciation
formation of 2 species from one species because of divergent natural selection in response to changes in environmental conditions; usually takes thousands of years
genetic diversity
variablity in genetic makeup amon individuals within a single species
genetic drift*
allele’s frequency changes in population due to random chance. In each generation, some individuals may, just by chance, leave behind a few more descendents (and genes, of course!) than other individuals. The genes of the next generation will be the genes of the lucky individuals, not necessarily the healthier or better individuals.
gene flow*
also called gene migration, is the transfer of genes between different populations through migration. Migration into or out of a population may be responsible for a marked change in allele frequencies (the proportion of members carrying a particular variant of a gene).