Evolution

• The phenotype an organism has depends on the genotype and the environment
• Only identical twins have the same genotype
• There is lots of genetic variation in a population
• Most genetic mutations have no effect on phenotype. If it does and is also advantageous, natural selection causes it to become a common phenotype
• evolution is a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which my result in the formation of a new species
• The theory of evolution states that all species have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago.
• results of a advantageous mutation:

  • mutations occur which provides genetic variation
  • if a mutation provides a survival advantage the organism is more likely to survive and breed
  • this mutation could be passed to the offspring
  • over many generations the frequency of the mutation will increase within the population
• how species evolve into separate species:

  • separation of different populations
  • locations have different environmental conditions
  • better adapted survive
  • favourable alleles passed on
  • eventually different populations will be unable to breed successfully