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CONSERVATION
EVOLUTION
- descent with modification
- complex process by which the characteristics of living organisms change
over many generations as traits are passed from one generation to the next.
- occurs only when there is a change in gene frequency within a population
over time. These genetic differences are heritable and can be passed on to the
next generation, which is what really matters in evolution: long term change.
A. Phylogeny
- family tree,
branching
of
evolutionary
relationships
a hypothesis illustrating the relationships of all
species on earth.
Tree-like not ladder-like therefore does not show
hierarchy
- Uses
o Testing hypotheses about evolution
o Learning about the characteristics of
extinct species and ancestral lineages
o Classifying organisms
Source:
http://evolution.berkeley.edu)
2. Mutation
- a random change in a gene or chromosome resulting in a new trait
or characteristic that can be inherited.
- can be a source of beneficial genetic variation, or it can be neutral
or harmful in effect
- For evolution to occur, the forces of natural selection must
distribute an advantageous trait (caused by mutation) to other members
of a population.
- Types
o Somatic - Mutations occurring in cells that do not form
gametes, mutations that do not end up being carried by eggs
or sperm. For example, mutations in your skin, muscle, or
liver tissue are somatic mutations.
o Germ line - Mutation that occurs in reproductive cells and
ends up being carried by gametes (e.g., eggs and sperm).
C. Natural Selection in Populations
- sorts out the useful changes in the gene pool. Beneficial new genes
quickly spread through a population because members who carry them have a
greater reproductive success, or evolutionary fitness, and consequently pass
the beneficial genes to more offspring.
BIODIVERSITY
-the variability among living organisms from all sources including,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species,
between species, and of ecosystems.
A. Levels of Biodiversity
1. Genetic diversity
- variation in the genes within a species
- increases the likelihood that individuals will be able to survive
major disturbances due to inheritance of disease-resistance and other
useful traits for survival
- reduces the incidence of unfavorable inherited traits caused by
inbreeding
2. Species diversity
- a measure of the diversity of a group of organisms capable of
interbreeding and producing fertile offspring called specieswithin an
ecological community
- promotes ecosystem efficiency because each species has a role in
the
ecosystem
3. Ecosystem diversity
- variety of habitats, living communities and ecological processes
called ecosystemsin the living world
- Complex ecosystems with a wide variety of plants and animals
tend
to
be
more
stable
B. Importance of Biodiversity