The Founder Effect, Convergence and Divergence

Question 1

What does the founder effect refer to?

Answer 1

• the loss of genetic variation when a very small number of individuals from a larger population establish a new colony
• usually due to migration or geographic isolation

Question 2

What is a common example of the founder effect in South Africa?

Answer 2

• the cheetah

Question 3

What are the different patterns of evolution?

Answer 3

• convergent evolution
• divergent evolution
• parallel evolution
• co-evolution

Question 4

What is convergent evolution?

Answer 4

• the process during which species that are not closely related to each other independently evolve similar kinds of traits to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches

Question 5

What is divergent evolution?

Answer 5

• the process in which a trait held by a common ancestor evolves into different variations over time