Mechanisms of Evolution

Front

What is the process that creates new variations and changes in DNA, leading to the creation of new alleles?

Back

Mutation

Front

What is the mechanism by which insects quickly become resistant to pesticides, often within one generation?

Back

Natural Selection

Front

What type of natural selection occurs when both extreme versions of a trait are more advantageous than the average?

Back

Disruptive Selection

Front

What is the term for the movement of alleles between populations, such as when rancher reindeer mate with wild caribou?

Back

Gene Flow

Front

Why is it important to finish all of an antibiotic treatment?

Back

If all of the infectious bacteria are not killed, the bacteria may continue to multiply. Some of these bacteria may have a mutation that makes them resistant to the antibiotic, potentially causing resistant bacteria to spread.

Front

What is microevolution?

Back

Microevolution refers to small-scale evolutionary changes within a population, often due to mechanisms like natural selection, mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift.

Front

Define genetic drift.

Back

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, often having a more significant effect in small populations.

Front

What is stabilizing selection?

Back

Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors the average phenotype and reduces variation, leading to a decrease in extremes.

Front

Explain the concept of non-random mating.

Back

Non-random mating occurs when individuals in a population choose mates based on specific traits, which can lead to changes in allele frequencies.

Front

What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

Back

Mutations introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can be the raw material for evolution and natural selection.