Variation & Evolution

• What can lead to huge variation between different individuals?

  Differences in genes and environment
• What is the process called that can lead to the evolution of new species?

  Natural selection
• What term is used in biology to describe the differences among individuals in a population?

  Variation
• What does a phenotype describe?

  The observable characteristics of an individual
• What two factors interact to determine an individual's phenotype?

  Genes and environment
• What do genes code for?

  Proteins
• What is a genome?

  All of an individual's genes combined
• Who has a unique genome apart from identical twins?

  Everyone in the world
• How can the environment affect identical twins with the same genes?

  It can influence their height and skin color
• What is the key point regarding characteristics determined by genes and environment?

  Most characteristics are determined by their interaction
• Why is there so much genetic variation among individuals?

  Because of mutations
• What is a mutation?

  A change in the DNA code
• What happens to most mutations in terms of phenotype?

  They don't have any effect on the phenotype
• What can beneficial mutations do?

  Make individuals more resistant to diseases or enhance abilities
• How does natural selection relate to beneficial mutations?

  Beneficial mutations increase survival and reproduction chances
• Who noticed the idea of survival of the fittest?

  Charles Darwin
• What did Darwin call the process where the fittest individuals survive?

  Natural selection
• What is the concept of evolution according to Darwin?

  Inheritance of certain characteristics over generations leads to species changes
• From what must all current species have evolved?

  Different species in the past
• What does the theory of evolution by natural selection imply about all living species?

  They evolved from simple life forms over 3 billion years ago
• What evidence supports Darwin's theory of evolution?

  Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and fossil records
• What is the summary of how evolution occurs?

  • Evolution occurs through natural selection.
  • Genetic changes give rise to phenotypes suited to the environment.
  • Over time, populations may diverge to the point of forming new species.
• What happens when two populations within a species can no longer interbreed?

  A new species has been formed