MOD 2 Introduction to Evolution Flashcards
Mutation
A random change in the DNA code that might change the resulting protein
E.g growing a third arm
Gene Flow
When organisms leave or arrive
(emigrated + immigrated)
E.g when birds migrate
Genetic Drift
Random events
E.g getting hit by lightning
Natural Selection
A natural force which makes it easier for some organisms and harder for others to survive
E.g owls eat the red mice because they can be seen more easily
Selective mating / Sexual selection
Choosing who to mate with by characteristics
E.g choosing the bird who is most colourful
Artificial selection
When people decide which individuals survive and reproduce
E.g hunters killing deer
Adaptive Trait
When the trait suits the environment and helps the organism (with the trait) to survive selective pressure
E.g bunnies with longer legs (adaptive trait) can push off and gain more speed when running, which means they can escape the foxes (selective pressure)
Selective Pressure
The effect of selection on the relative frequency of one or more genes within a population
E.g foxes are the selective pressure on the bunnies as they can affect the bunny population
Reproductive Success
How many offspring an organism leaves
E.g the bunny who has 5 offspring has more reproductive success than a bunny who has 3
Evolution
The change in the genes of a population over time
E.g humans have evolved to be taller over generations
Gene
A code in the DNA that determines how a protein is built
E.g the trait of having blue eyes
Evolutionary Fitness
The ability to reproduce and pass on genotypes to offspring
E.g increase in offspring = increase in evolutionary fitness
**NOTE: Fitness can also mean how well adapted to the environment an individual is
Population
A group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same time
E.g humans / apple trees
Reproduction
The production of offspring by a sexual or asexual process
Structure-function relationships
A genetic characteristic which controls an aspect of the individuals structure
E.g dogs having longer jaws and more teeth