Evolution: Evolution and Genetic Variation Essay

Submitted By KaitlynLuis1

Words: 477

Pages: 2

Open Document

Evolution refers to a change in the allele frequency of a population. A common misconception is that evolution is "progress" and is working toward some sort of goal. Often the conditions that lead to a certain change in allele frequency are later reversed and the allele frequency returns to its original state. For example, when southern Alberta experiences one of its periodic droughts, plants with a drought resistant phenotype will have an advantage over moisture-loving plants in the same species, and the drought-resistant alleles will become more common in the population. When the drought ends, the moisture-loving plants have the advantage and their alleles will become more common in the population. Neither phenotype is "better" and the species has not "progressed" - it has simply survived.

Natural Selection- basically, if an organism has a physical characteristic that gives it an advantage over other organisms AND it is a characteristic that can be passed to the next generation, that organism is said to be more 'fit' than its peers. For example, say there are a bunch of birds on and island and some have big beaks and some have small beaks.. Let’s say for some environmental reason, all of the small seeds on the island disappear and there are only large seeds left, so the birds with small beaks are unable to eat and most of them die. Now there are only a few small birds left to mate and make small bird babies, so in the next bird generation, there are more big birds than small ones. After several generations of this sort of thing, there will only be big birds left, and the bird population has evolved from big and little birds, to big birds only.
Populations do evolve (populations consist of many generations, and they have lots of genetic

Evolutionary Biology Definitions Essay

1. Evolution is a change in the genes of a population over time. A gene is a unit that can be inherited and can be passed on unaltered for many, many generations. A gene pool is a set of all genes in a species of population. Evolution has many meanings. All organisms are linked via descent to a common ancestor is often called evolution. Evolution could also be the theory of how the fist living things appeared on earth. 2. Evolution requires genetic variation. Variation in alleles of genes occurs…

Words 727 - Pages 3

Why Does The Antibiotic Resistance Problem Represent An Example Of Evolution

voyage was to obtain evidence that supported the biblical theory of creation as well as chart poorly known parts of the South American coastline. 2. Why does the Antibiotic resistance problem represent an example of evolution? The antibiotic problem is a perfect example of evolution because it shows how species have adapted and evolved based on their environment. It shows how bacteria can adjust and either thrive or die when faced…

Words 2274 - Pages 10

Hockey: Genetics and Polygenic Trait Essay

Name Class Date 17.1 Genes and Variation Lesson Objectives Define evolution in genetic terms. Identify the main sources of genetic variation in a population. State what determines the number of phenotypes for a trait. Lesson Summary Genetics Joins Evolutionary Theory Darwin’s original ideas can now be understood in genetic terms. Researchers discovered that traits are controlled by genes and that many genes have at least two forms, or alleles. The combination of different alleles…

Words 762 - Pages 4

Principles 1 Chapter 1 1 Essay

Cell The fundamental unit of life is the cell. CHAPTER OUTLINE/CORE CONCEPTS 1.4 Evolution Evolution explains the features that organisms share and those that set them apart. 1.5 Ecological Systems Organisms interact with one another and with their physical environment, shaping ecological systems that sustain life. 1.6 The Human Footprint In the 21st century, humans have become major agents in ecology and evolution. Chapter 1 Introduction Biology: The science of how life works; a natural science…

Words 3123 - Pages 13

6 The Blueprint Of Life Essay

chemical environment influences the evolution of plants and animals Throughout evolution, there have been many periods of mass extinctions followed by diversification of surviving populations Evidence For Evolution Biological evolution states that all organisms have developed from pre-existing organisms The theory of evolution can be tested by examining fossils and comparing organisms to see whether predictions made from the theory hold true The evidence for evolution include the following Fossils The…

Words 1495 - Pages 6

Science Toolkit Essay

are passed on to offspring; use and disuse; evolution takes a long time Darwin’s Theory (Natural Selection): The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. The main process that brings about evolution. All species have variation; the survival of a variation within a population leads that DNA only to be passed on leading to adaptation; evolution takes a long time Evolution: The change in genetic (allelic) frequencies in a population’s gene…

Words 508 - Pages 3

Evolution: Evolution and New Species Essay

What is evolution? The word evolution can be used in many ways, but in biology, it means descent with modification. In other words, small modifications occur at the genetic level (i.e. in DNA) when a new generation originates from an ancestral population of individuals within a given species. Over time the modifications basically change the characteristics of the whole population. When the population gathers a large number of changes and conditions are right, a new species may appear. Evolution…

Words 654 - Pages 3

Essay on Biology 16 1 And 2 Notes

Biology 16-1 By Basel Kamoua Genes and Variation Darwin did not know how heredity worked. This lack of knowledge led to: No idea how heritable traits pass from one generation to the next, and had no idea how that variation appeared. Mendel’s work on heredity was connected Darwin’s during 1930s. Biologists understood that genes control heritable traits. Soon realized that changes in genes produces heritable variation on which natural selection can operate. Watson and crick’s studies in DNA helped…

Words 1131 - Pages 5

Essay on Evolution Study Guide

Evolution Test 3 study guide Lecture 13: Multiple Loci The mathematics of multiple loci is the same as single loci but with more combinations When many loci and alleles affect a trait, there will be hidden variation There are so many possible combinations of alleles with multiple loci that variation becomes continuous and is best described statistically Basic principles Two loci in a population are in linkage equilibrium when the genotype of a chromosome at one locus is independent of its…

Words 7143 - Pages 29

Evolution of Sexual Reproduction Essay

mostly observed in multicellular organisms. Through evolution, sexual selection has been deemed more advantageous than asexual reproduction in a variety of situations. The advantage of sex is explained through the refutation of the sexual reproduction paradox, Red Queen’s Hypothesis, and Muller’s Rachet and its influence on the theories and evolution of sexual reproduction. Introduction Reproduction is essential for the survival and evolution of a species. It is through reproduction in which an…

Words 2125 - Pages 9