Week 1 Sept 7

Question 1

What is the ultimate biological goal?

Answer 1

Reproduction

Question 2

Which variables do we study in human biology?

Answer 2

Biological and environmental variables

Question 3

Define biological evolution

Answer 3

Change in population of species and their alleles over time

Question 4

Define alleles

Answer 4

Versions of genes

Question 5

Define adaptation

Answer 5

A characteristic that makes an organism survive and reproduce in its environment

Question 6

What are the 3 records of the past?

Answer 6

Molecular genetics, Prehistoric archaeology, Historical linguistics

Question 7

Which of the 3 synthesis of records would be used for the following question:
What was life like for humans 10,000 years ago?

Answer 7

Archaeology

Question 8

Which of the 3 synthesis of records would be used for the following question:
Which nonhuman species is most closely related to us?

Answer 8

Molecular genetics

Question 9

Major advancement in human evolutionary genetics in 1900?

Answer 9

1st genetic polymorphism - ABO blood group (Landsteiner)

Question 10

Major advancement in human evolutionary genetics in 1981?

Answer 10

Human mtDNA genome sequenced

Question 11

Major advancement in human evolutionary genetics in 1985?

Answer 11

• 1st human ancient DNA results published
• Invention of PCR
• 1st Y-chromosomal polymorphism

Question 12

Major advancement in human evolutionary genetics in 2001?

Answer 12

Release of draft human genome sequence

Question 13

3 vital elements of Darwin’s theory

Answer 13

• Variation
• Competition
• Adaptation

Question 14

Define variation in Darwin’s theory

Answer 14

There is heritable variation for selection to act upon

Question 15

Define competition in Darwin’s theory

Answer 15

Resources (food, mates, shelter, etc.) are finite and limited, thus there is competition for survival and reproduction

Question 16

Define adaptation in Darwin’s theory

Answer 16

As long as the environment remains unchanged and some heritable variants provide an advantage, the subsequent generations will see an increase in individuals with those traits

Question 17

“ A population evolves through the differential _____________ of its variant members.” - Charles Darwin

Answer 17

Reproductive success

Question 18

4 pieces of evidence to support the theory of evolution by common descent (FABB)

Answer 18

1. Fossils in the fossil record
2. Anatomical evidence
3. Biogeographical evidence (e.g. Different islands have different finches)
4. Biochemical evidence (includes genetic evidence)

Question 19

Define species

Answer 19

Species are members of a population that interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring

Question 20

Changes over _____ and ______ can produce new species

Answer 20

• Time
• Space

Question 21

Define anagenesis

Answer 21

Collective changes that transform one species into a different species with different characteristics (vary rare - species A goes extinct when it becomes species B, and so on)

Question 22

There are ______ types of cladogenesis: ________ and _________

Answer 22

• 2
• Sympatric
• Allopatric

Question 23

Define sympatric

Answer 23

Divergence of a population that is in physical contact or contiguous environment

Question 24

Define allopatric

Answer 24

Divergence of a population arising from physical separation of populations

Question 25

What are important points about biological evolution?

Answer 25

• Living things descend from a common ancestor and thus have common chemistry
• Living things adapt to their environment
• Natural selection operates on reproductive fitness and success
• Next generation is a result of existing variability, new mutations, selection, and random genetic drift

Question 26

True or False?
The finches never changed into anything other than a finch

Answer 26

True