Historical Geology - Evolution Flashcards
What is evolution?
differential reproductive success of genes within a population.
- change through time
What was Jean Baptiste Lamarck basic theory?
Species adapted to their environment
What was Darwin’s basic theory?
natural selection
Who came up with the idea of natural selection?
Alfred Russell Wallace
What is natural selection?
- fitness = probability of successful reproduction
- inheritable traits that increase fitness are more likely to be passed on to subsequent generations
What are genetics?
offspring inherit genetic material from their parents
What was Jean Baptiste Lamarck basic theory? What was his mistake?
Species adapted to their environment. the Mistake he made is that organisms do not pass down acquired traits.
What is mutation?
permanent changes in the DNA sequence
Kinds of mutations?
Deletions - DNA base pair is removed from strand
Inversions - DNA bases are reversed in order
Duplications - DNA sequence is erroneously repeated
Do mutations drive evolution?
No
What do mutations do?
Help provide genetic variation within a population which can be acted upon by natural selection to cause evolution.
Why is population size important in evolution?
- Larger populations have more genetic inertia (material) and more variability so they evolve more slowly and selectively
- smaller populations evolve rapidly and have less variability making them more vulnerable to extinction
What is speciation?
The process through which a new species is formed.
Kinds of mutations? Explain each.
Deletions - DNA base pair is removed from strand
Inversions - DNA bases are reversed in order
Duplications - DNA sequence is erroneously repeated
What are the modes of speciation? explain each.
Phyletic grandualism - evolution occurs at a constant rate, speciation gradual process
Punctuated equilibrium - taxa exist for long periods of time with little net genetic and/or morphological change with speciation taking place rapidly.