Modern Evolutionary Theory
Modern Evolutionary Theory
Modern Evolutionary Theory
Unresolved Points
How were traits passed from one generation to another?
Understanding Concepts
(Questions from Miller and Levine, 2002) Explain why sexual reproduction is a source of genetic variation.
2 kinds of NAs:
RNA: A, G, C, U DNA: A, G, C, T
Genetic Code
Set of rules by which info in DNA/RNA is translated into amino acid sequences
Because members of a species can breed with one another, they share a common gene pool. Because of that shared gene pool, a genetic change that occurs in one individual can spread through the population as that individual and its offspring mate with other individuals. If the genetic change increases fitness, that gene will eventually be found in many individuals in the population. Members of a species can thus evolve together and interact with their environment in similar ways (Miller and Levine, 2000). [14-3, A Genetic
Definition for Species]
Genetic Drift
Natural selection is NOT always necessary for genetic change to occur. Genetic drift: when an allele becomes common in a population by chance
Implies that all characteristics of an organism do not have to contribute to its fitness
there are no living sciences, human attitudes, or institutional powers that remain unaffected by the ideasreleased by Darwins work.
- J. Collins