Chapter 13

Darwinian Evolution

·         Before Darwin, species were considered as “unchangeable” – although many scientists had begun to privately question this notion.

·         Darwin was one of the first to publically challenge that species were fixed and unchanging

o   Resulted from the observations he made while on the ship HMS Beagle.

o   22 years after his return, in 1858, he published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection

o   Never used the term “evolution!”

o   Principles of Darwinian Evolution

§  More individuals are born into a population than can survive on _______________________

§  Members of a population differ from one another _____________________

§  Some of these differences give individuals ___________________

§  These individuals will tend to pass these advantages onto their offspring

§  Over time, the population will change

o   Natural Selection works on the same principle as ________________________

Evidence of Evolution

·         Fossils

·         Biogeography

·         Comparative Anatomy

·         Molecular Biology

 

Causes of Evolution

·         Definition of evolution

o   “change _______________”

o   “change in ___________________________ in a population over time”

·         Individuals DO NOT evolve – _____________ evolve

o   So how do populations change?

 

·         Sources of change

o   Mutation is the ultimate source

o   Immigration and emigration alter ______________________

o   Sexual reproduction leads to different combinations of alleles, which may lead to a new expression of traits

o   Natural selection – not all individuals have equal _________________

o   Genetic drift (common in small populations)

o   Bottlenecks

o   Non-random mating

Natural Selection & Evolution

·         Natural selection leads to ______________ evolution

o   Individuals that are better suited to survive and breed pass their traits on to future generations

o   “Survival of the fittest” refers to ______________ fitness

§  The likelihood that an individual will contribute to the next generation

·         Selection can occur in several different manners

o   ______________ Selection

o   ______________ Selection

o   ______________ Selection

·         Sexual selection is obvious in many animals

o   Females choose males with certain traits more frequently

 



Terminology:  systematics, taxonomy, classification, binomial nomenclature, genus, specific epithet, species, monophyletic group, cladistics, synapomorphic character, cladogram, Darwinian evolution, natural selection