Inheritance of phenotypes Flashcards
Homology
possession by two or more species of a trait derived from their common ancestor
Vestigal organs
features that serve no current function
-cave organisms eyes(stages of degeneration)
Biogeography
-many similar species found clustered within the same archipelagom
Fossil evidence
-fossils organised in specific sequence in rock strata
artificial selection
-pigeon breeding
What is evolutionary modification?
- change in characteristics of individuals within a population from generation to generation
- replacement of one kind of individual with another
- relies on the existence of variation that is heritable (=genetic variation)
phenotypic variation
-variation in natural populations
eg.
peppered moths
spotted ladybird
Natural selection
-trait variation within a population is due in part to differences amoung individuals in their genetic constitution (HERITABILITY)
Natural selection
Trait variation within a population is associated with the variation in survival or reproduction in the current environment (SELECTION)
Natural selection
-over generational time, there will be a rise in the frequency of individuals having those trait values that confer a relative increase in reproductive success (EVOLUTION)
How much of the variability in a trait can be accounted for by the contribution of genetic variation?
Breeder’s equation
-estimates heritability
If heritability is > 0
genetic factors have some influence
Maximum heritability is 1
-indicates only genetic effects acting
Twin studies:
Concordant
-both of a pair of twins share a trait
Twin studies:
Discordant
-one has trait other does not
Strong heritability
-no effect of environment