Evolution

• Who proposed the theory of evolution?

  Charles Darwin
• How do genes interact with the environment?

  Genes interact with the environment to determine traits.
• What is the relationship between genetic diversity and population diversity?

  The diversity of a population is linked to the genetic diversity of individuals within that population.
• What does evolution primarily involve?

  Evolution is primarily about genetic change, specifically the change in allele frequencies in a population over time.
• What is microevolution?


  Microevolution refers to evolutionary change within populations.
• What is a population in biological terms?

  A population is a group of organisms of a single species living together in the same geographic area.
• What is a gene pool?

  A gene pool is the alleles of all genes in individuals in a population.
• What do allele frequencies represent?

  Allele frequencies represent the proportion of each allele in a population's gene pool.
• What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?


  The Hardy-Weinberg principle describes the conditions under which allele frequencies remain constant in a population.
• What are the conditions for the Hardy-Weinberg principle to apply?

  The conditions are no mutation, no migration, a large gene pool, random mating, and no selection.
• What happens when the conditions of the Hardy-Weinberg principle are not met?

  A change in allele frequencies is likely to occur.
• What is genetic drift?

  Genetic drift refers to changes in allele frequencies of a gene pool due to chance events.
• What are the bottleneck effect and founder effect?

  The bottleneck effect results from a loss of genetic variation due to a drastic reduction in population size, while the founder effect occurs when a few individuals start a new population.
• How does gene flow affect allele frequencies?

  Gene flow can change allele frequencies when new alleles are introduced into a population.
• What is the role of mutation in evolution?

  Mutation serves as a source of new genetic variation.
• What is nonrandom mating?


  Nonrandom mating occurs when individuals select mates based on preferred traits.
• What are the three types of natural selection?

  The three types of natural selection are stabilizing selection, directional selection, and disruptive selection.
• What is sexual selection?

  Sexual selection is about reproductive success, where males compete for females and females are selective about their mates.
• What is the heterozygote advantage?

  The heterozygote advantage occurs when heterozygous individuals have a fitness advantage in certain environments, such as areas where malaria is present.
• What evidence supports the theory that all organisms share a common ancestor?

  Evidence includes the fossil record, biogeographic distribution, anatomical evidence, biochemical evidence, evidence from developmental biology, and molecular homologies.
• What do fossils indicate about species over time?

  Fossils indicate that species change over time, with older fossils being more primitive than younger ones.
• What is Tiktaalik roseae known for?

  Tiktaalik roseae is known as a transitional form between fish and four-legged animals, showcasing features of both.
• How old are Tiktaalik fossils estimated to be?

  Tiktaalik fossils are estimated to be 375 million years old.
• How do the bottleneck and founder effects impact genetic diversity?

  Both effects result in a loss of genetic diversity within a population.
• What is the significance of deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

  Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium allow us to detect microevolutionary shifts.
• What is the relationship between natural selection and genetic diversity?

  Natural selection can maintain genetic diversity by favoring different alleles in varying environments.
• What is the role of recombination in genetic diversity?

  Recombination introduces new combinations of alleles, contributing to genetic diversity.
• How does gene flow contribute to evolution?

  Gene flow introduces new alleles into a population, which can lead to changes in allele frequencies and contribute to evolution.
• What is the significance of the fossil record in understanding evolution?

  The fossil record provides evidence of how species have changed over time and supports the theory of evolution.
• What does the presence of transitional fossils indicate?


  The presence of transitional fossils indicates evolutionary changes and the gradual transition between different forms of life.
• How do structural similarities in fossils support evolution?

  Structural similarities in fossils suggest that different species share a common ancestor and have evolved over time.
• What is the significance of the discovery of Tiktaalik roseae?

  The discovery of Tiktaalik roseae provides insight into the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life.
• What does the term "common ancestor" refer to in evolutionary biology?

  The term "common ancestor" refers to a species from which two or more different species have evolved.
• How does the fossil record provide evidence for the theory of evolution?


  The fossil record shows a chronological sequence of life forms, demonstrating changes and adaptations over time.
• What is the importance of studying evolutionary biology?

  Studying evolutionary biology helps us understand the processes that have shaped the diversity of life on Earth.
• How do mutations contribute to evolution?

  Mutations introduce new genetic variations that can be acted upon by natural selection.
• What is the role of natural selection in shaping populations?

  Natural selection shapes populations by favoring individuals with advantageous traits, leading to changes in allele frequencies over time.
• How does genetic variation affect a population's ability to adapt?


  Genetic variation increases a population's ability to adapt to changing environments.
• What is the significance of studying allele frequencies in populations?

  Studying allele frequencies helps us understand the genetic structure of populations and the processes of evolution.
• How do environmental changes influence evolution?

  Environmental changes can create new selective pressures that drive evolutionary change in populations.