Evolution - Natural Selection Notes Review Entire

Organisms with variations most suited to their environment will survive and reproduce if natural selection is working. This is because natural selection favors traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in a specific environment. Over time, individuals with these advantageous variations will be more successful in passing on their genes to the next generation, leading to the evolution of a population that is well adapted to its environment.

A gene pool refers to the collection of all the alleles or different forms of genes present in a particular population. It represents the genetic diversity within a population and includes all the variations that can be passed on to the next generation through reproduction. By studying the gene pool, scientists can understand the frequency and distribution of different alleles, which is important for studying genetic traits and evolutionary processes in a population.

Camouflage is an adaptation where an organism imitates the environment in an effort to blend in and hide. This allows the organism to avoid being detected by predators or prey, increasing its chances of survival. By imitating the colors, patterns, or textures of its surroundings, the organism can become virtually invisible, making it difficult for others to spot or recognize it. This adaptation is commonly observed in various species, such as chameleons, who can change their skin color to match their surroundings, or stick insects, who resemble twigs or leaves to avoid being detected.

Mutation is a mechanism of evolution because it introduces genetic variations in a population. Mutations are random changes in the DNA sequence that can result in new traits or characteristics. These variations can be beneficial, detrimental, or neutral. Over time, beneficial mutations can accumulate and provide an advantage for individuals in adapting to their environment. This process of accumulating and passing on advantageous mutations to future generations is a fundamental mechanism of evolution. Therefore, it is correct to say that mutation is a mechanism of evolution.

Mutations are changes that occur in the DNA sequence of an organism. These changes can have different effects on the organism. While mutations are often harmful and can lead to diseases or abnormalities, they can also be harmless and have no noticeable effect. Additionally, in rare cases, mutations can actually be beneficial and provide advantages to the organism, such as increased resistance to diseases or improved survival in certain environments. Therefore, mutations can have a range of effects, from harmful to beneficial, making the answer "usually harmless or harmful, but can sometimes be beneficial" correct.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that natural selection occurs when there is a surplus of organisms being produced, leading to competition for limited resources. The fittest individuals, those with traits that give them an advantage in their environment, are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. Additionally, for natural selection to occur, there must be variation within a species, as this allows for some individuals to have traits that are better adapted to their specific environment, increasing their chances of survival and reproductive success.

Artificial selection and natural selection differ in terms of who determines which organisms reproduce. In artificial selection, it is a person who selects which individuals will breed based on desired traits. On the other hand, in natural selection, the environment plays the role of selecting which organisms are better adapted to survive and reproduce. While artificial selection can occur in laboratories to mimic natural processes, it is not limited to laboratory settings. The statement that artificial selection is fake and natural selection is real is incorrect and misleading.

Geographical isolation refers to the physical separation of populations by natural barriers such as mountains, rivers, or oceans. This separation prevents gene flow between the populations, leading to genetic divergence over time. As a result, the isolated populations may accumulate different genetic variations and eventually become reproductively isolated, forming new species through the process of speciation. Therefore, the statement that a physical border in geographical isolation prevents two populations from mating with each other and causes speciation is true.

Inherited behaviors are traits that are passed down from parents to offspring through genes. These behaviors can include instincts, such as hunting or migration, that are advantageous for an organism's survival. By inheriting these behaviors, organisms are more likely to have the skills and abilities necessary to survive in their environment. Therefore, it is true that some behaviors are inherited and can increase the likelihood of an organism's survival.

Genetic drift refers to the random changes in the frequency of gene variants in a population over time. These changes occur due to chance events, such as the death or reproduction of individuals, rather than being driven by natural selection. Therefore, genetic drift is indeed random, making the given answer "True" correct.

The theory of evolution, developed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, suggests that all life on Earth is connected and related through a process of descent with modification from a common ancestor. This process occurs over vast periods through mechanisms like natural selection, where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to their offspring. 

An adaptation is a heritable trait that increases the ability to survive and reproduce in an environment. This means that individuals with this trait are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation, increasing the overall fitness of the population. Adaptations are specific to particular environments and help organisms better cope with the challenges and demands of their surroundings.

All species are different because of descent with modification. This means that over time, as species reproduce and pass on their traits to their offspring, small changes or modifications occur in their genetic makeup. These modifications can be caused by various factors such as mutations, genetic recombination, or natural selection. As a result, species gradually evolve and adapt to their environment, leading to the diversity of life forms we see today. Human involvement, luck and chance, and artificial selection can also play a role in shaping species, but the fundamental reason for their differences is descent with modification.

Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to the creation of new genetic variations. These variations can then be acted upon by natural selection, which favors those variations that provide a survival or reproductive advantage. Therefore, mutations indeed provide the raw material for natural selection to work on, making the statement true.

Speciation refers to the process by which new species arise. It involves the development of reproductive barriers between populations, leading to the formation of distinct species that are unable to interbreed. This process is driven by various factors such as genetic mutations, natural selection, and geographic isolation. Therefore, the correct answer is "makes new species."

Migration is a mechanism of evolution because it involves the movement of individuals from one population to another. This movement can lead to gene flow, which is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another. Gene flow can introduce new genetic variations into a population, increasing genetic diversity and potentially leading to evolutionary changes over time. Therefore, migration plays a significant role in shaping the genetic composition of populations and can contribute to the overall process of evolution.

Temporal isolation occurs when individuals have a difference in their behavior with time. This means that individuals of the same species may have different behaviors or mating rituals at different times, which prevents them from successfully reproducing with each other. This can lead to the formation of distinct subpopulations and eventually speciation.

This statement is true because evolution is defined as a change in the genetic makeup of a population over time. Allele frequency refers to the proportion of different alleles within a population, and when this frequency changes, it indicates a change in the genetic composition of the population. Therefore, a change in allele frequency within a population is indeed considered evolution.

Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. This means that individuals with higher fitness are more likely to pass on their genetic traits to the next generation, as they are better adapted to the challenges and conditions of their particular surroundings. In contrast, the other options are incorrect because they either exclude reproduction from the definition or include all environments, which is not necessarily true for every organism.

This answer correctly identifies an example of behavioral isolation. It explains that behavioral isolation occurs when pigs change their mating behaviors, causing some females to prefer one group of pigs and others to prefer another group. This behavior prevents mating between the two groups and leads to reproductive isolation.

An allele frequency refers to the number of times a particular genotype occurs in a population. It represents the proportion or percentage of individuals in the population that carry a specific version of a gene. This information is important in understanding the genetic diversity and variations within a population and can provide insights into the inheritance patterns of traits.

Sexual reproduction creates variation through the recombination of genetic material from two parents, resulting in offspring that have unique combinations of genes. This variation provides the raw material for natural selection, as individuals with traits that are better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. Thus, the statement is true as sexual reproduction indeed creates variation, which is essential for the process of natural selection.

Migration refers to the movement of individuals from one population to another. This movement can result in the transfer of genes from one population to another, leading to changes in the allele frequencies of the populations involved. Gene flow is the term used to describe this transfer of genetic material between populations. Therefore, gene flow is the correct term to describe migration in the context of genetic drift and allele frequency.

The mechanisms of evolution are processes that drive changes in the genetic composition of a population over time. Natural selection is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the passing on of those traits to future generations. Migration refers to the movement of individuals from one population to another, introducing new genetic variation. Mutation is the spontaneous change in DNA sequence, creating new genetic variation. Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies due to chance events. Fossil evidence and analogous structures are not mechanisms of evolution; they are sources of evidence that support the theory of evolution.

Mimicry is an adaptation strategy in which one organism imitates another organism that is perceived as more dangerous. This form of mimicry is known as Batesian mimicry. By imitating a more dangerous organism, the mimicking organism gains protection from predators that are deterred by the appearance of the dangerous organism. This allows the mimicking organism to blend in and avoid being targeted, increasing its chances of survival.

The statement "What is fit never changes" is incorrect. Fitness is not a static state and can change over time. It requires consistent effort and maintenance to stay fit. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

The given statement is incorrect. Evolution refers to the process of change in a population over generations, not in an individual. While individuals can undergo changes throughout their lifetime, these changes do not constitute evolution. Evolution occurs through the accumulation of genetic variations in a population over time, leading to the development of new species or the adaptation of existing ones.

Genetic drift occurs more frequently in small populations rather than large populations. This is because in small populations, chance events can have a greater impact on the gene pool. With fewer individuals, there is a higher chance of random fluctuations in allele frequencies, leading to genetic drift. In contrast, large populations have a greater genetic diversity and are less susceptible to the effects of random events, making genetic drift less likely to occur.

The founder effect occurs when a few individuals start a new population. This phenomenon can happen when a small group of individuals migrate to a new area or when a small group becomes isolated from the larger population. As a result, the genetic makeup of the new population may differ significantly from the original population, as it is based on the genetic variation of the founding individuals. This can lead to unique genetic traits becoming more common in the new population, as well as an increased risk of genetic disorders due to the limited gene pool.

Natural selection only works on inherited traits, not acquired traits. Inherited traits are passed down from parents to offspring through genes, while acquired traits are developed or learned during an individual's lifetime and cannot be passed on to future generations. Natural selection acts on inherited traits because it is the genetic variation within a population that allows certain individuals to be better adapted to their environment, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction.

Natural selection does not strive to make the perfect organism. Instead, it is a process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of a population. Natural selection does not have a goal or purpose, it simply favors traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a given environment. Therefore, the statement is false.

Genetic drift is not evidence of evolution, but rather a mechanism of evolution. Genetic drift refers to the random fluctuations in the frequencies of alleles in a population, which can lead to the loss or fixation of certain alleles over time. It is one of the mechanisms that can drive evolutionary change, alongside natural selection, mutation, and gene flow. Therefore, the correct answer is false, as genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution, not evidence of it.