Natural selection in the wild

Question 1

Examples of evolution in action

Answer 1

Evolution is gradual, proceeds by the accumulation of small changes

Rapid microevolution e.g. peppered moth

Rapid evolution due to
-Competition - two species having similar requirements cannot coexist
E.g. darwin’s finches
-Exploitation - much is selective, similar effect to natural selection
E.g. bighorn sheep
-Climate change - plants rapidly change as they cannot move
E.g. plants
-Parasites
E.g. rabbits and myxomatosis
Lower virulence leads to more secondary cases so selection on parasites for less virulence
Higher exposure = resistance

Question 2

Applications of fast evolution- disease & epidemiology

Answer 2

Applications of fast evolution
-Evolution of pesticide resistance
-Cancer treatments and drug resistance
-Superbugs