Identify evidence of change in species using DNA sequences, anatomical similarities, physiological similarities, embryology and fossils
Illustrate the results of natural selection (changes) in speciation, diversity, phylogeny, adaptation, behavior and extinction
Evolution Evolution: change in the traits of a species over time Species: a group of organisms who can produce fertile
offspring Charles Darwin: developed the theory of evolution called
Natural Selection Natural Selection states that:
there is variation (differences) within populations some variations are favorable (favorable variations
improve an organism’s ability to function and reproduce in its own environment)
not all young produced in each generation can survive individuals that survive and reproduce are those with
favorable variations; these individuals can then pass on the favorable traits to their offspring
Evidence to Support Evolution: DNA: by comparing the DNA sequences of two organisms or the amino acid
sequences made from the DNA, scientists can learn which organisms are related; the more DNA two organisms have in common, the closer related they are
•Using the table, compare the amino acid sequence of the chimp and the human.
•Notice that for this protein the chimp and human have the exact same sequence.
•Now compare the baboon and the human.
•Notice that there are 5 differences in the sequence.
•This tells you that the human is more closely related to the chimp than the baboon.
Anatomical similarities An inherited trait that increases the
population’s chances of survival and reproduction is an adaptationhomologous structure: same structure
with different functions found in different species and thought to be inherited from common ancestors
ex: humans, whales, and bats all have the same # and type of bones in the forelimbs but their functions are different
Analogous structures have the same function, but different structures & do not show a close relationship
ex: insect wing and bird's wing
Embryology Similarity in embryo development shows a close
relationship (vertebrate embryos all have tail & gill slits)
Fossils
These are imprints or remains of living things.
In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the deeper it is, the older it is.
Give us information about extinct species.
Adaptation mimicry: an organism can copy the appearance of
another organism; in one form of mimicry, a harmless species has adaptations that result in a physical resemblance to a harmful species; predators that avoid the harmful looking species also avoid the similar-looking harmless species.
camouflage: an organism can blend into the surroundings
Variation
the differences between individual members of a population (ex: fur color, eye color, etc.)
cannot always be observed are almost always genetically inherited results from mutations and recombination
Speciation Speciation: the evolution of a new species
when the production of fertile offspring in a species is somehow prevented; it can occur in several ways:
Geographic Isolation: physical barriers separate members of a population so that they can not reproduce; these barriers can be caused by changes in climate, volcanic eruptions, or changes in sea level; the separate groups become more and more distinct and eventually become separate species
Polyploids: mistakes in meiosis cause the chromosome number in individuals to change; when a polyploidy organism mates with a normal individual, the zygotes do not develop normally; this type of speciation is more common in plants
Types of Evolution:
adaptive radiation: when a species is introduced to a new environment, several new species evolve
convergent evolution: distantly related organisms evolve similar traits
directional selection: occurs when natural selection favors one of the extreme variations of a trait.
disruptive selection: individuals with either extreme of a trait’s variation are selected for
Directional vs. Disruptive Selection In directional selection, there is a shift in
frequency to an extreme phenotype. In the example, the environment was changed so that now it is barren and has dark soil.
rabbit coat color
light medium dark
Directional vs. Disruptive Selection
In disruptive selection, the most common variation in a population is not favored. In the example, light-colored bushes have begun to grow in the dark soil.
rabbit coat color
light medium dark
Phylogeny Phylogeny: the evolutionary history of an
organism; this is used to classify organisms into kingdoms, phyla, classes, etc.; a phylogenetic tree or cladogram shows how organisms are related to one another and how they evolved
examples of phylogenetic trees
Behavior Behavior: anything an animal does in response to a
stimulus; types of behaviors include: innate behaviors: inherited behaviors reflex: simple innate behavior that is automatic (don’t
need to think about it) instinct: complex pattern of innate behaviors that begins
when an animal recognizes a stimulus and continues until all parts of the behavior have been completed
territorial behavior: behavior in which animals will defend their space by driving away others of the same species
aggression: behavior that is used to intimidate another animal of the same species
Top Related