Misconceptions + Acceptance Flashcards

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1
Q

Terminology - ‘Natural Selection’

A

Invented by Herbert Spencer
- Problems with definition of
Fitness
- Fitness applied to societies

Brought about the idea of helping the weak makes society weaker

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2
Q

What is Social Darwinism?

A

Applied the idea of survival of the fittest to societies
- Some individuals are better than others
- Free competition helps ensure only the most capable survive and rise to the top

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3
Q

Social Darwinism and Eugenics

A

If government helps the weak, they survive, pass on their characteristics, and society is thereby weakened
- Eugenics = control the development of the
human race through organized breeding
programs

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4
Q

Issues with using the term Natural Selection + where it comes from

A
  • Derived from analogy with artificial selection
  • Semantic problem - implies purpose/direction

Darwin preferred=> Natural Preservation
Can use => Differential survival

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5
Q

Evolution + Fears around religion

A
  • Theory that explains diversity and change in organisms was not explained by god but by evolution
  • Fears this would lead to abolition of God, loss of free will / purpose

However, some saw it as strengthening of religion

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6
Q

Misconception - Evolution results in increase in complexity

A
  • Leads to better adapted animals
  • Fitness depends on environment, complexity/more features may not work
  • e.g whales and snakes lost their legs => less complex => but better adapted
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7
Q

Misconception - All adaptation are advantageous

A

Genes can affect many characters – pleiotropy
- A single gene influences multiple phenotypic traits
- As long as overall fitness is increased, neutral or negative
adaptations can occur

Negative characteristics may be selected (controlled by same genes) for, if overall, there is net benefit

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8
Q

Antagonistic pleiotropy

A

Adaptation isn’t positive throughout an organism’s lifespan

  • In youth, testosterone is positive;
    increases reproductive fitness
  • In later life, there are negative
    effects: increased prostate
    cancer
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9
Q

Misconception - Natural Selection is the only mechanism

A
  • Role of chance - founder effect
  • Genetic drift - small populations
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10
Q

What use is half an eye? - Argument that initial stages of organ development is useless

A

From complexity argument

  • initial stages of development of eyes was still advantageous - light-sensitive cell
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11
Q

Misconception - Age of the Earth

A
  • Initially thought was too young for how gradual process of evolution
  • But now thought to be older than first estimated from the bible
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12
Q

Misconceptions about the Fossil Record

A
  • Darwin predicted gradual change in fossil record
  • Punctuation seen as gaps which would be filled
  • Point of stasis could be due to punctuated equilibrium - was no reason for change as environment was same for a while
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13
Q

Examples of traditional fossils

A
  • Ichthyostega- emergence of legs
  • Archaeopteryx- early evolution of birds
  • Pakicetus, Ambulocetus, Indocetus, Protocetus- land
    to water transition (whale)
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14
Q

Are sudden large changes possible

A

Homeotic genes (Hox genes)
- specify the anterior-posterior axis and segment identity during early development of animals.
- Homeotic mutations give big changes

Mutation causes structural changes => may cause an advantage
- Basic instructions are the same
- Changes in timing can have large effects
- Fundamental blueprint is the same

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15
Q

Misconception - The Mechanism of Evolution - Darwin’s Scheme

A

Darwin’s scheme – blending
- Any beneficial variation diluted out
- Negates effect of natural selection
- Change is more gradual

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16
Q

Misconception - The Mechanism of Evolution - Mendalian’s Scheme

A

Mendel’s - discrete variation
If selection pressure changes, it can reemerge
=> Mendel predicts punctual change not allowing for gradualism
However, he dealt with only single gene loci (used plants)

  • No dilution
  • Initially seen as criticism
  • Darwin predicted gradualism
17
Q

Epistasis

A

The interaction between two or
more genes to control phenotype

18
Q

Darwin and Mendel forming central dogma

A
  • Phenotype doesn’t cause genes
  • Populations evolve not individuals
    => however phenotype may impact genes (epigenetics)