Evolution Basics
The process of change in heritable traits over generations in a population.
What is evolution?
These are random changes in DNA that create new traits, some may be beneficial some may be harmful.
What are mutations?
Charles Darwin proposed this central mechanism of evolution, often associated with the phrase "survival of the fittest".
What is natural selection.
He was a wealthy naturalist who extensively studied the Galapagos islands and wrote "On the Origin of Species".
Who is Charles Darwin?
This is the process where humans choose which plants or animals reproduce for desired traits.
What is artificial selection?
Microevolution and macroevolution together can lead to the formation of new species.
What is speciation?
This is the process of combining genetic material from two parents that produce unique offspring.
What is sexual reproduction?
Individuals compete for these limited resources that will drive their survival and ability to reproduce.
What are food, shelter and mates?
He discovered the basic laws of heredity and inheritance and is considered the "father of genetics".
Who is Gregor Mendel?
Understanding evolution helps doctors fight this problem of how bacteria can survive medication meant to cure infection.
What is antibiotic resistance?
This term describes the passing of traits from parents to offspring.
What is inheritance?
When members of a population migrate to a new location and introduce new alleles, this increases the populations __________
What is genetic diversity?
Individuals that are better suited to their environment are more likely to do these two things, driving natural selection.
What is survive and reproduce?
He was an independent naturalist who contributed significant research to the theory of evolution but is not as widely recognized.
Who is (Alfred) Wallace?
Understanding evolution aids farmers in combatting this problem—when insects evolve resistance which is called.
What is pesticide resistance?
The changes that occur on a genetic cellular level.
What is microevolution?
This random process changes allele frequencies without the opportunity to adapt. An example would be a forest fire affecting a population of organisms.
What is genetic drift?
Natural selection is considered what kind of process because it favors specific traits that improve survival.
What is a non-random process?
He linked genes to specific locations on chromosomes aiding in better understanding how traits are passed down from parent to offspring.
Who is (Thomas Hunt) Morgan?
Farmers use this form of evolution when they breed plants and animals for specific desired traits. (i.e. cows that produce more milk, plants that grow larger fruit)
What is artificial selection?
He is considered the "father of evolution"?
Charles Darwin
The process of genes moving between two populations - like pollen being carried from one area to another by a bee - is called.
What is gene flow?
In natural selection, when more offspring are produced than what the environment can support, it creates this key pressure.
What is competition for limited resources?
His work on heredity and inheritance bridged a gap in Darwin's theory of evolution by explaining how traits are passed on.
Who is Gregor Mendel?
Understanding evolution helps doctors track viruses and how, why and where they spread which is called.
Pandemic tracking