Evolution Of Populations (Part 1) Flashcards
The unit of evolution is
The population
The fuel for evolution is
variation in traits based on genetic variation.
What produces genetic variation in populations
- Mutations
- Sexual reproduction
- Horizontal Gene transfer
Mutations
- permanent changed to DNA
- Creates new alleles (and in some cases new genes or even genomes) in populations.
Sexual reproduction
Creates different combinations of pre-existing alleles in populations.
Horizontal gene transfer
- Allows new alleles (or new genes) to be introduced into populations.
- Important in unicellular species.
Importance of mutation in genetic variation and evolution
- Can introduce new alleles in populations.
- Is one mechanism of evolution; although not usually an important force on its own.
Although mutation is rare
- it is the ultimate source of all genetic variation in sexually and asexually reproducing populations.
- If mutation did not occur, evolution would eventually stop.
- primary source of genetic variation in asexual populations.
Importance of sexual reproduction in genetic variation and evolution
- Sexual reproduction can shuffle existing alleles into new combinations.
- Not a mechanism of evolution but can act as a supporting factor.
- In organisms that reproduce sexually, shuffling of alleles is more important than mutation in producing genetic variation in each generation
How is evolution Measured
Evolution of a population is detected by measuring allele frequency changes in the gene pool.
What is the Gene Pool?
- all of the alleles of all the genes in a certain population.
No evolution
No change in allele frequencies
Evolution
Change in allele frequencies
Some extreme fates of alleles
During the evolution of populations, alleles in a can become:
A. Fixed: reach a frequency of 1
B. Lost: reach a frequency of 0
Genetic equilibrium
A population is in genetic equilibrium (for a given gene) if the allele and genotype frequencies for that gene do not change generation after generation.
Genetic equilibrium occurs when
A. Evolution is not occurring: allele frequencies are constant
B. Mating is Random: genotype frequencies are constant
Predicting genotype frequencies in genetic equilibrium
Can predict the genotypic frequencies that should exist in the current population if the population is in genetic equilibrium by doing a population-wide Punnett square.
Measuring evolutions: The Hardy-Weinberg principle
- Most of the time, we don’t have allele frequencies from the previous generation to compare to today’s population to see if a population is evolving.
- The H-W Genetic Equilibrium Principle acts as a null hypothesis when researchers want to test whether evolution (and/or non-random mating) is occurring in a population with respect to a particular gene.
From H-W Equations:
Expected genotype frequencies (if no mechanisms of evolution are at play and mating is random) can be compared to from observation: observed genotype frequencies
Results from the H-W principle
Possibility 1: expected Genotype frequencies= observed genotype frequencies
Conclusion:
1. No mechanisms of evolution are at play
AND
2. Mating is random
Possibility 2: expected Genotype frequencies does not equal observed genotype frequencies
Conclusions:
1. One or more mechanisms of evolution are at play
AND/OR
2. Mating is NOT random
The Hardy-Weinberg Principle Steps
- Determine genotype frequencies (if available).
- Determine the allele frequencies (using genotype frequencies).
- Determine what the genotype frequencies should be if the previous generation:
A. had the same allele frequencies (no evolution)
B. was mating randomly - Compare the genotype frequencies predicted by the H-W principle with the actual genotypic frequencies.
- Draw conclusions.
If they are the same
Evolution is not occurring and mating is random. In H-W (Genetic) Equilibrium.
If they are different
Evolution is occurring AND/OR mating is not random.
Non-random Mating
- Random mating is a requirement for genetic equilibrium.
- In nature, matings between individuals in a population may NOT be random with respect to the gene (and phenotype) in question.
Sexual selection
- A type of non-random mating that does cause evolution (allele frequencies change)