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A2 Edexcel Biology Session 4 5 Evolution
A2 Edexcel Biology Session 4 5 Evolution
People believed that offspring was the result of “blending” the characteristics of the parents
If that was true, genetic variation would decrease, not increase
1. Mutations
Chromosome mutations and gene mutations
Asexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Neo-Darwinism
Ideas in Neo-Darwinism 2/2
Population evolves
Better suited alleles increase in frequency in the population
More and more individuals possess and express the better suited alleles
Population = Group of individuals of the same species living in the same place at the same time
Can interbreed
Population Genetics
- Populations and gene pools
Gene pool = All the genes and all their different alleles present in
the gametes of the individuals in an interbreeding population
May be stable If all alleles’ frequency are stable, population is static = not evolving
The Hardy-Weinberg formula is used to detect changes (or no changes) in gene pools
The Hardy-Weinberg formula is used to detect changes (or no changes) in gene pools
Since p + q = 1
p calculated with p = 1 - q
Population Genetics
- The Hardy-Weinberg principle and disturbing factors
The Hardy-Weinberg formula is used to detect changes (or no changes) in gene pools
Population Genetics
- The Hardy-Weinberg principle and disturbing factors
The Hardy-Weinberg formula predicts gene pool of a population
does not change in succeeding populations
True... only if
1. Breeding population is large
So that mating is random
2. Mating is random
Any genotype can mate with any genotype
Not one genotype is favorised
"chosen", more/less predated...
2. Selective predation
The "selected for prey" individuals will decrease in number
So the frequency of the allele responsible for the characteristic "target" will decrease
Vice-versa for the "non-selected for predation" individuals and their allele
1. Speciation by isolation
3. Speciation by polyploidy
Population Genetics
- How changing gene pools may lead to speciation
1. Speciation by isolation
3 Divergence of species
after migration
Galapagos Islands
Tortoise, Finches, Iguanas
Allopatric speciation
Speciation due to separation in space
Population Genetics
- How changing gene pools may lead to speciation
3. Speciation by polyploidy
1. Stabilising selection
OR
2. Directional selection
Population Genetics
- Natural selection and speciation
1. Stabilising selection
1. Stabilising selection
Population Genetics
- Natural selection and speciation
2. Directional selection
Most individuals of the population may not be fit for the changing/new environment
2. Directional selection
Antibiotic resistance
in bacteria
Melanism in
peppered moths
Session 4.5
5. Comparison of their sequence with known RNA sequences from prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Population Genetics
- New evidence for evolution
Ribosomal RNA studies
The example of the use of ribosomal RNA as a new evidence for evolution
First, a small team of scientists mastering techniques of ribosomal RNA analysis
Compared rRNAs from many micro-organisms
Editors send copies of articles to scientists skilled in the same domain of research
Peer review
Rejected, need additional data for publication, or immediate publication