Rate of Evolution Flashcards
What happens when selection pressures are high?
The rate of evolution is rapid.
What are selection pressures?
Any factor in the internal or external environment that reduces the reproductive success of a population and influences the frequency of traits in a population.
Why does a shorter generation time result in a high rate of evolution?
There are more generations in a set period time. Mutations occur during meiosis and DNA replication.
How does a warmer climate increase the rate of evolution?
Heat tolerant individuals have an advantage. Over many generations this process produces a population with adaptations for a hotter environment.
What is horizontal gene transfer?
Sharing of beneficial gene transfer between different lineages through sexual reproduction in bacteria.
What does horizontal gene transfer result in?
Genetic variation and antibiotic resistance