Lecture 1: Evolution

Question 1

What are the three main premises of Darwin theory of evolution?

Answer 1

1-characteristics of an organism are inherited
2-More offsprings are produced than able to survive (accumulations of favourable traits)
3-Members of a population often vary in their inherited traits

Question 2

Define the term of natural selection?

Answer 2

differential survival and reproduction of individuals with certain inherited traits

Question 3

Define the term of Fitness?

Answer 3

ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment

Question 4

Define the term adaptation?

Answer 4

A trait that increases an organisms fitness in a particular environment

Question 5

What are the three main environmental pressures driving natural selection?

Answer 5

1-Climate
2-Predation
3-Ressource availability

Question 6

Give an example of climate environmental pressure driving natural selection

Answer 6

polar bear adapt to arctic environment

Question 7

What are the two main conditions so natural selection can occur?

Answer 7

-characteristics MUST vary
-Relative fitness

Question 8

What is the principle of relative fitness?

Answer 8

Reproduction output of an organism compared to the other individuals in a population

Question 9

Define the term of evolution?

Answer 9

-species arise and change over time
-Idea that all organism have descended from common ancestors

Question 10

What is the key definition of natural selection?

Answer 10

traits that improves an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce are more likely to be passed on

Question 11

What is the principle of sexual selection?

Answer 11

individuals with certain inherited characteristics are more likely to obtain mates (ex: peacocks tail)

Question 12

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 12

differences between the two sexes in secondary sexual characteristics which are not directly associated with survival and reproduction (e: size, colour)

Question 13

What is intersexual selection?

Answer 13

individuals of one sex are choosy in selecting their mates from the opposite sex

Question 14

What is intrasexual?

Answer 14

-selection within the same sex
-individuals of one sex compete directly for mates of the opposite sex

Question 15

What is the principle of descent with modification?

Answer 15

accumulation of differences with shared ancestors and shared characteristics

Question 16

What are the 5 examples of geological evidence of evolution?

Answer 16

-Fossils
-Anatomy and Embryology
-Biogeography
-Molecular biology
-Artificial selection

Question 17

What is divergent evolution?

Answer 17

two species that evolve in diverse directions from a common point – adapt to different environment

Question 18

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 18

two species with no common ancestors but ressemble to each other from similar habitat

Question 19

What is an homologous structure?

Answer 19

have common evolutionary or development origin but adapted to different function.

Question 20

What is an analogous structure?

Answer 20

different origins – adapted independently for the same function

Question 21

What is the principle of comparative embryology?

Answer 21

reveals anatomical homologies not visible in adults organisms (Embryo development)

Question 22

What is artificial selection?

Answer 22

human choosing organism with specific characteristics
-producing individuals characteristics

Question 23

What assumption arises from the theory of artificial selection?

Answer 23

That natural selection would have created the Earth’s diversity since artificial selection create substantial change over a short period of time

Question 24

What could be an example of relative fitness?

Answer 24

A green and brown frog, the brown frog as more chance to survive and reproduce since she can camouflage thus her relative fitness will be higher