APES:

Bio evo: description of how earths life changes over time.

Darwin (gathered evidence) and Wallace (proposed idea) proposed the
concept that nat selection was a mechanism for bio evo.
Nat selection: survival traits would become more prevalent through
natural selection. Not a complete theory because there are other ways
a species can form.
Life on earth developed over two phases:
1. Chem Evo of organic molecules, biopolymers and systems of
chem reactions needed to make 1st cells. Took 1 billion years.
Evidence comes from radioactive elements in rocks and
fossils. Followed by:
2. Bio evo: Through nat selction we got single celled organisms
to multi-cellular protists, plants, fungi, and animals. First in
the sea then on land. So far its been around for 3.7 billion
years.
Fossils: petrified replicas of skeletons, bones of past living things. We
get info on how they work.
Glacial ice allows scientists to see the different kinds of life at different
layers.
Fossil record: worlds cumulative body of fossils found.
Bio evo by nat selection states that a populations genetic makeup
changes through generations. Pops not individuals change by
becoming genetically different.
1. First step in bio evo is: Developing genetic variability- Occurs
through mutations
a. Mutations: random changes in structure or number of
DNA molecules that can be inherited by offspring. Can
happen in 2 ways.
i. Exposure to radioactivity, X rays, and nat and man
made chems (mutagens)
ii. Mistakes in genetic instructions when cells divide
or organisms repro. Only those mutations in repro
cells are passed down to offspring.
b. Most mutations are bad but sometimes beneficial ones
occur.
2. 2nd step in bio evo is: Nat selection
a. Occurs when some organisms have traits that are better
suited for survival. Those who survive pass on the traits.
Explains how populations survive and adapt through
environmental changes.
b. Three conditions necessary for Nat selection
i. Genetic variability: there needs to be enough for a
trait to exist.
ii. Heritable

iii. Must lead to Differential Reproduction: Individuals

with trait must leave more offspring than those
without.
c. Adaptation: Any trait that allows one to make it through
nat selection, and repro better under conditions.
d. Three possibilities when a change in environmental
conditions occurs:
i. Adapt
ii. Migrate
iii. Extinction
e. In short bio evo by nat selection:
i. Genes mutate
ii. Individuals chosen
iii. Pops evolve that are better adapted to survive
and reproduce.
Coevolution: Changes in the gene pool of one species can lead to
change in another species gene pool. Genetic race to see who can
make the most offspring. Each gains temp genetic advantage over the
other.
Nat selection states that differently reproducing species cant produce
fertile offspring.
1. Sometimes through hybridization two distinct species can
form a new species that may be better adapted to survive.
2. Some species, mainly microorganisms, can swap genes
through horizontal gene swapping.
a. Can occur when one species feeds upon, infects, or gets
to close to another species transferring genetic info
from one species to another.
b. Hybridization and gene transferring is generally faster
than nat selection.
Limits on Adaptation through natural selection
1. need to have the necessary genes in pool to adapt.
2. Adaption may be limited by repro ability.
3. Bad news for most is that even though a gene may lie
present, many of the others would have to die prematurely so
those with the trait could predominate. Many would have to
die prematurely for many years until a new genetic trait
predominates.
4. Limits dont apply to hybridization or gene swapping.
The fittest individuals leave the most descendants. Fitness based on
repro ability.
Species dont develop traits because they need them, but those with
the best traits survived and produced more offsprings. There is no
master genetic plan for genetic perfection.