evolution + genetics Flashcards
lecture 1
when was pre-Darwinian thought
19th century Britain
much of the evidence Darwin used to develop his theory was already known
Geologist and palaeontologists had evidence that life had existed on earth for a long time and that it had changed over time
Members of a species look similar to each other when compared to another species
But when compared to each other, there are differences between members of a species
theory of the inheritance of acquired traits example by Lamarck
Eat leaves from treetop
Stretched their necks, tongues, and legs
These traits are passed onto their offspring
Lamarck’s theory was one of inheritance of acquired characteristics
characteristics developed in life would be passed onto the offspring
when did Darwin return from his world trip on the beagle
1937
when did Darwin adapt his theory of evolution by
1838
who developed the same theory as Darwin
Wallace
define functionalism
characteristics of living organisms perform useful functions, therefore the best way to understand a biological phenomenon is to try to understand how it is useful to the organism
what was the 3 characteristics that Darwin was impressed by the functional nature of an organisms characteristics
structure, colouration, behaviour
define evolution
gradual change in the structure and physiology of an organism over generations
define natural selection
traits best suited to survival in a specific the environment will be passed onto the next generation
define theory
best current explanation of available evidence
define survival of the fittest
The individual best suited to their environment will survive to pass on these genes to the next generation
who coined the term survival of the fittest
Spencer
what did Spencer use survival of the fittest to justify
social darwinsim
Darwins evidence - fossil record
Documented the evolution of fossil records through progressive geological layers
Darwins evidence
fossil record, anatomical similarity, artificial selection
Darwins evidence - anatomical similarity
Described the striking similarities between living species
Darwin’s evidence - artificial selection
Pointed out the major changes that had occurred in domestic plants and animals through programmes of selective breeding
taxonomy of living things
Domain (eukarya)
Kingdom (animalia)
Phylum (chordato)
Class (mammaalia)
Order (primates)
Family (hominidae)
Genus (homo)
Species (sapiens)
Human (homo sapien)
key factors that separate humans and other apes
Upright posture
Opposable thumb
Speech
Mostly hairless
how much does an adult human brain weigh
1200g - 1400g
human brain evolution
Increased in size
Much of this increase at the level of the cerebrum
Increase in the number of convolutions means a greater volume of the cerebral cortex
define evolutionary psychology
Explains human behaviour in terms of evolution
