Relatedness of Species (chapters 9-10) Flashcards
Allele
Alternate form of a gene
Gene Pool
All possible alleles at all gene loci of a popularion of a single species at a time
Spontaneous Mutation
Mutation occurring for no particular reson
Induced Mutation
Mutation caused by ionising radiation or a chemical mutagen
Mutation
Unpredictable or random change to DNA of an organism
Cannot be predicted what gene will be affected
Most mutations have NO EFFECT on organisms
Chemical Caused Mutation
Mutations caused by chemicals which interact with DNA
eg. Heavy Metal Can:
- Cause sugar phosphate backbone to break
- Inhibit enzumes which repair DNA
Block Mutations
Block mutation involved more than a single gene
Include inversions, deletions, duplications and translocations
Point Mutations
Mutation at the nucleotide level
Normally involves change to a single nucleotide
eg. Single base substitution
Single Base Substitution - Missense Mutation
Substitution mutations which code for a different amino acid, altering the primary
structure of the polypeptide.
Single Base Substitution - Addition Mutation
Extra base added
Single Base Substitution - Nonsense Mutation
Substitution mutations which prematurely end the translation of a gene’s mRNA.
- Creates stop codon
Single Base Substitution - Silent Mutation
Substitution mutations that have no effect on the resulting amino acid sequence.
Due to the degenerate nature of the genetic code
Single Base Deletion
Point Mutations that cause a frameshift mutation
Frameshift Mutation
Addition or deletion of one or two nucleotides, which alters the reading frame of all the following nucleotides
Substitution Mutation
Single nucleotide exchanged for different nucleotide
Phenotype
Physical, Expressed
Genotype
The genetic makeup of an individual organism
Environmental Selection Pressures
External agents influencing species ability to survive
- Facilitate mechanisms of natural selection
- Abiotic or Biotic
eg. Predation, Disease, Competition
Impact of Selection Pressures
Some phenotypes have advantages over others when it comes to survivability or reproducability
Leads to change of allele frequency over time
Very slight differences in survival rate can have big differences on allele frequency
eg. In dense rainforests, plants need large surface area to photosynthesize
- Plants with allele for larger surface area more likely to survive
- More likely to reach next generation
Selection Pressure Questions (x3)
- What is the selection pressure?
- What is the advantageous phenotypical trait?
- What is the advantageous allele?
Natural Selection
Process whereby members of a population that are better sorted to environment are more likely to survive and pass traits on to next generation
- beneficial traits become more ocmmon in population
- biodioversity decreases as a result
- ‘survival of the fittest’
Four conditions of Natural Selection
1) Variation
2) Selection Pressure
3) Selective Advantage
4) Heritability
Natural Selection Condition - Variation
Individuals in a population vary genetically, leading to phenotypic differences
Natural Selection Condition - Selection Pressures
Environmental selection pressure impacts survivability of organisms and ability to reproduce