Process of Evolution Flashcards
What is evolution?
It is the change in the genetic composition of populations over time
How does evolution occur?
Natural selections acting through environmental selection pressures is the main driving force of evolution
What is Natural Selection?
The influence of environmental selection pressures on allele frequency in a population
What is the acronym for remembering Natural Selection
VAST SEINE
Describe 1st part of Natural Selection
Variation exists in all populations (due to mutations)
Describe 2nd part of Natural Selection
Struggle for resources (eg: food, water, shelter, etc.)
Describe 3rd part of Natural Selection
Selection takes place. Those with beneficial mutations (characteristics) are more likely to survive
Describe 4th part of Natural Selection
Inheritance of the beneficial characteristics, since those individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce
Describe 5th part of Natural Selection
Evolution has occurred since the advantageous characteristics have become more common. Less advatageous ones are lost as those individuals cannot compete
Describe the trend of advantageous and less advantageous traits in evolutionary process
- Advantageous alleles will increase in frequency
- Less advantageous alleles will decrease in frequency
What are examples of environmental selection pressures?
It is a factor in the environment which removes unsuited individuals
* Climate conditions
* Competition for resources such as food, water, shelter, etc.
* Mates
* Predators
What are species?
A group of individuals that can breed to produce fertile (viable) offspring when interbreeding
How can species be thought of in terms of gene pools?
A gene pool that is isolated from other gene pools
What is Speciation?
The process by which new species are formed
How does speciation occur?
When gene flow has ceased between populations where it previously existed
