Evolutionary Concepts and Mechanisms

Miss Willis explains evolution as a change in allele frequency over time. She discusses the five processes that cause evolution: population size, non-random mating, mutations, gene flow, and natural selection. The video differentiates between microevolution and macroevolution, highlighting speciation. Darwin's theory of natural selection is explored, emphasizing fitness and adaptations. The importance of genetic variation and the randomness of mutations, genetic drift, and gene flow in evolution are also covered.

What is the fundamental definition of evolution?

• The change in the allele frequency of a gene pool in a population over time.

• The process of organisms becoming more complex over time.

• The adaptation of organisms to their environment.

• The survival of the fittest organisms.

Which of the following is NOT one of the five processes that can cause evolution?

• Gene flow

• Random mating

• Mutations

• Natural selection

What is microevolution?

• The creation of a new species

• Small changes in a population over time

• The extinction of a species

• The adaptation of a species to a new environment

What is speciation?

• The process of creating a new species

• The adaptation of a species to its environment

• The process of a species becoming extinct

• The increase in population size

Which of the following was NOT a condition Darwin identified for natural selection?

• Inheritable traits

• Overproduction of organisms

• Lack of variation within a population

• Fitness differences among organisms

What does evolutionary fitness mean in Darwin's terms?

• The ability to live a long life

• The ability to reproduce and pass on traits

• The ability to survive in harsh environments

• The ability to adapt to new environments

Why is a hybrid like a 'source' not considered evolutionarily fit?

• It has a short lifespan

• It is not adapted to any environment

• It cannot reproduce viable offspring

• It cannot survive in the wild

What is an adaptation?

• A change in the environment

• A genetic variation favored by natural selection

• A decrease in population size

• A random mutation

What is genetic drift?

• A change in allele frequency due to random events

• The movement of genes between populations

• The adaptation of organisms to their environment

• The increase in population size

How can gene flow affect a population?

• It can lead to extinction

• It can cause mutations

• It can decrease the population size

• It can increase genetic variation