Evolution

Lesson 2 The basics

Evolution: the Basics

What is Evolution?

Evolution: the Basics

What is Evolution?
any change in allele (gene) frequencies in a population over time

Evolution: The Basics

What is Evolution?
any change in allele (gene) frequencies in a population over time

What is a population?
A group of organisms which belong to the same species and live in the same area

Evolution: The Basics

What is Evolution?
any change in allele (gene) frequencies in a population over time

What is a population?
A group of organisms which belong to the same species and live in the same area

What is a species?
A group of populations whose individuals have the potential to interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature

Evolution: Mechanisms of evolution

Evolution happens because:

One generation is not exactly as the previous one.There are changes in gene frequencies

Mechanisms of evolution
Genes frequencies change thanks to a series of processes known as Mechanisms of evolution

Mechanisms of evolution
1. Mutation Mistakes in the DNA duplication process.

Mechanisms of evolution
1. Mutation

Mechanisms of evolution
1. Mutation Mistakes in the DNA duplication process. - They happen randomly - They are inherited only if they occur in the formation of gametes

Mechanisms of evolution
1. Mutation Types of mutations: - Point mutation

Point mutations
Substitution mutations result in a change of one base:

T T A C G T G A A AC G G C A T

Met

His

Phe Leu

Ala

Val

Mechanisms of evolution
1. Mutation Types of mutations: - Point mutation - Chromosomal mutations

Chromosomal mutations
Gene deletion:

Gene duplication:

E C

Chromosomal mutations
Inversion:

Translocation:

A
X

B
W

C Y

D Z

Whole-chromosome mutations
An entire chromosome is lost or repeated during cell division.

Example: Downs syndrome is caused by having an extra chromosme 21.

The effect of mutations

Production of new/superior protein: Results: gain of reproductive advantage Neutral mutation: Result: No change Production of inferior or no protein: Result: Fatal and/or disease causing.

Mutation: Key points

Mutations occur at random without regard to whether they have a beneficial, neutral or harmful effect. Mutations are the only source of new alleles in a species Mutations are only inherited if they affect gamete formation cells

Mechanisms of evolution
2. Recombination: Random combination in alleles due to sexual reproduction

Mechanisms of evolution
A A B B The genes AB and ab are linked but when the homologous chromosomes paired up at meiosis, breaks occurred in adjacent chromatids

a a

b b

A a

B b

The chromatids rejoin but with their opposite partner

Mechanisms of evolution
2. Recombination

Mechanisms of evolution
3. Genetic Drift: Random fluctuation in allele frequency between generations.

3. Genetic drift
The effects of genetic drift are pronounced in small populations.

A Genetic Bottleneck is a Form of Genetic Drift

In a genetic bottleneck, allele frequency is altered due to a population crash. Once again, small bottlenecked populations = big effect.

3. Genetic drift
Note: A genetic bottleneck creates random genetic changes.

A severe genetic bottleneck occurred in northern elephant seals.

3. Genetic drift
The Effect of Genetic Drift is Inversely Related to Population Size

Large populations = small effects.

Small populations = large effects.

Mechanisms of evolution
4. Natural selection

Mechanisms of evolution
4. Natural selection

Mechanisms of evolution
Natural selection. Weather is an important Source of Natural selection If the climate gets cold. Cold climate characteristics tend to appear

Evolution theories
4. Natural selection
- Natural selection works because some genotypes are more

successful in a given environment than others.

- Natural selection leads to adaptation an increase in the fitness of a population in a particular environment.
- Successful (adaptive) genotypes become more common in subsequent generations, causing an alteration in allele frequency over time that leads to a consequent increase in fitness.

Mechanisms of evolution
5. Speciation: splitting of one species into 2 different species. Whats a species? Biological species concept A species is a group of organisms that interbreed under natural conditions and that are reproductively isolated from each other.

5. Speciation

B. Modes of speciation

1. Allopatric speciation
- Allopatric speciation describes speciation that takes place in populations with geographically separate ranges. Gene flow is interrupted and new species evolve.

2. Sympatric speciation - Sympatric speciation describes speciation that takes place in geographically overlapping populations. Chromosomal changes and nonrandom mating reduce gene flow.

Remember: Species arise when individuals in a population become isolated one from the other.

Allopatric Speciation
Example: The antelope squirrel
Ammospermophilus harrisi on the south rim Ammospermophilus leucurus on the north rim

A. harrisi

A. leucurus

5. Speciation
Causes of speciation - Geographic isolation

Key question about allopatric species is whether they are indeed different enough that viable, fertile offspring would not be produced by mating. This can be tested sometimes as in

Sympatric Speciation

Sympatric Speciation
Sympatric speciation can also result from different niches or sexual changes
Temporal separation in mating
Different pollen production times

Sexual preference or morphology

Prettiest peacock

Mating strategy Mating calls in frogs

Sympatric Speciation
Geographical isolation is the easiest way for species to form, but there are other possible mechanisms. Sympatric speciation means speciation that occurs within the same geographical location. An example: cichlid fish in Lake Barmobi Mbo in Cameroon, Africaan isolated volcanic lake. Nine species, all more closely related to each other (by DNA evidence) than to similar fish in other lakes. Lake has no distinct geographical zones, and the fish can easily swim anywhere in it. They feed in different locations, but all breed in the same location, close to the bottom. An example of sympatric speciation, but the mechanism is not clear.

Polyploidy
An autopolyploid is an individual that has more than two chromosome sets, all derived from a single species
Failure of cell division in a cell of a growing diploid plant after chromosome duplication gives rise to a tetraploid branch or other tissue. Offspring with tetraploid karyotypes may be viable and fertilea new biological species.

Gametes produced by flowers on this branch will be diploid.

2n 2n = 6 4n = 12 4n

SELECTIVE BREEDING

The Liger is the result of breeding a female Tiger to a male Lion.

It has stripes and spots. The stripes are from the tiger parent and the spots from the lion parent. On their hind legs, ligers stand approximately 12 feet tall. At most, ligers may weigh up to 1,000 pounds.

The Cama is the result of breeding a Llama to a Camel. Parents in background of picture.

The Zebroid is the result of breeding a female Horse and a male Zebra.

The Zedonk / Zonkey is the result of breeding a female Donkey and male Zebra.

Geep - These are the result of a sheep and a goat.

-The Mule is the result of breeding a female horse to a male donkey. - The mule is superior to the horse in strength, endurance, intelligence and disease resistance.

EVOLUTION THEORIES
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