Quest 7 Flashcards
Escape and Radiate Coevolution
An evolutionary process where one species evolves a defense to escape its predator or parasite, leading to its diversification, which is then followed by counter-adaptations and diversification in the interacting species.
Coevolution
When heritable traits in species 1 drive changes to heritable traits in species 2 which feedback to changes in species 1 and so on
Obligate Mutualism
Mutualistic relationship in which both species are entirely dependent on each other for survival or reproduction.
Mutualistic interactions
Ecological relationships between two species in which both partners benefit from the association.
Antagonistic interactions
Ecological relationships where one species benefits at the expense of another, such as predation, parasitism, or herbivory.
Predator-Prey
Commensalistic evolution
Ecological relationships in which one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
Diffuse Coevolution
Reciprocal evolutionary change that occurs when a set of species collectively imposes and experiences selection pressures, so adaptations in any one species are shaped by interactions with many partners rather than a single counterpart.
Complex, non-pairwise relationships between organisms
Aposematic coloration
Use of bright, conspicuous colors or patterns by an organism to warn predators that it is toxic, unpalatable, or otherwise dangerous.
Batesian Mimicry
Form of mimicry in which a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful or unpalatable species to avoid predation.
Mullerian Mimicry
Form of mimicry in which two or more harmful or unpalatable species evolve to resemble each other, reinforcing predator avoidance through shared warning signals.
Mosaic Coevolution
Process where coevolutionary interactions between species vary across different environments or populations, creating a patchwork (mosaic) of evolutionary outcomes.
C-value paradox
Genome size does not correlate with an organisms complexity
(C-Value = Genome size)
G-Value Paradox
The number of protein-coding genes does not correlate with an organism’s complexity
(G-value = number of protein-coding genes)
Transcription factors
Proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences to regulate the transcription of genes by promoting or inhibiting the recruitment of RNA polymerase.
Horizontal Gene Transfer (HZGT)
Movement of genetic material between organisms other than through vertical inheritance (from parent to offspring), often occurring between different species.
Competent Cells
Bacterial cells that can adapted to take up foreign DNA from their environment through the process of transformation.
Transduction
Method of horizontal gene transfer in which bacterial DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus, typically a bacteriophage.
Transformation
Method of horizontal gene transfer in which a bacterium takes up and incorporates foreign DNA from its surrounding environment into its own genome.
Conjugation
Method of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria where genetic material is transferred directly from one bacterium to another through a physical connection called a pilus.
Virulence Factors
Molecules produced by pathogens that enhance their ability to infect and cause disease in a host, including toxins, enzymes, and surface proteins that help the pathogen evade the immune system.
Pathogenicity Islands
Distinct regions of the genome in a pathogenic microorganisms that contain clusters of genes responsible for virulence.
Synthetic Dot Plots
Compare the gene order of two different strains or species, providing a picture of the genomic reorganization that has occurred
Why is there Codon Usage Bias?
The genetic code is unambiguous and degenerate.
Mutation rates – a non-selection driven reason
Selection based reasons –
1) tRNA availability
2) Mononucleotide repeats (AAAAA) of five or more are prone to slippage
Selfish Genetic Elements
DNA sequences that propagate themselves at the expense of the organism’s overall fitness, often through mechanisms like transposition, horizontal transfer, or manipulating the host’s reproductive system.
Conservative Transposons
A type of transposon that excises itself from one location in the genome and integrates into a new location without replicating, leaving the original site with a single copy of the transposon.
Cut and reinsert
Non-Conservative Transposons
Replicate during the transposition process, resulting in the transposon being inserted into a new location while leaving a copy at the original site in the genome.
create copies, multiply…
LINES
SINES
Deleterious Consequences of TEs
Beneficial Consequences of TEs
