Life on Earth - Mutation and Alleles

Question 1

What is a mutation?

Answer 1

a random change to genetic material.

Question 2

Describe structural AND behavioral adaptations

Answer 2

• structural - The physical features of an organism.
• behavioural - The things organisms do to survive.

Question 3

What is variation?

Answer 3

The difference that exists between individuals.

Question 4

What is an allele?

Answer 4

Different forms of a gene that produce different phenotypes

Question 5

What is mutagenic agent? Give examples.

Answer 5

• factors that can increase the rate of mutation
• Radiation (e.g. x-rays, UV light), some chemicals (mustard gas, bromine)

Question 6

What does variation within a population allow?

Answer 6

Allows that population to evolve over time in response to changing environmental conditions

Question 7

What is an adaptation?

Answer 7

An inherited characteristic that makes an organism suited to survival in its environment/niche. They can be structural or behavioural

Question 8

Define the following:
* selective advantage
* selective disadvantage

Answer 8

Selective advantage - a characteristic that gives an organism a better chance of survival and reproduction than other organisms.

Selective disadvantage - a characteristic that doesn’t give an organism a good chance of survival and reproduction than other organisms.

Question 9

Define the following:
* selective advantage
* selective disadvantage

Answer 9

Selective advantage - a characteristic that gives an organism a better chance of survival and reproduction than other organisms.

Selective disadvantage - a characteristic that doesn’t give an organism a good chance of survival and reproduction than other organisms.

Question 10

What is natural selection?

Answer 10

• The differential survival and reproduction of organisms due to differences in their phenotype
• Works by passing on beneficial genetic mutations through reproduction.