Biology 10: The Gene in Life

Department of Biology | College of Science

University of the Philippines Baguio

Genes and Fitness:

The Survival Challenge

1
 Lecture Objectives
1. Discuss the development of the concept of
Evolution
2. Explain the Theory of Natural Selection, its
premises and mechanism
3. Explain the concepts of fitness and
adaptation and their relation to natural
selection
4. Relate genetic diversity as basis for fitness
and adaptation
What do you know about Evolution?
 Definition

EVOLUTION = any
change through
time
 Definition
Charles Darwin:
“descent with
modification” or
“changes that occur
in organisms as they
descended from
ancestors”

Image Source: http://www.panjury.com/trials/charles-darwin#.U3CMxyycIwA

 Development of Evolutionary Concept

Anaximander Aristotle
Image Sources:
http://linkrandom.blogspot.com/2013/11/fact-of-day-ancient-evolution.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/34560/Aristotle
 Development of Evolutionary Concept
GREAT CHAIN OF BEING
All organisms were
created at one time, in
one center of creation,
and have not changed
since that time.

Image Source:
http://www.magnoliabox.com/art/302795/The_Great_Chain_of_Being_from_Retorica_Christiana_by_Didacus
http://uhillenglish.wikispaces.com/MACBETH+UNIT
 Development of Evolutionary Concept

Image Source:
http://uhillenglish.wikispaces.com/MACBETH+UNIT
Development of the Evolutionary Concept
Man Insects
Monkeys Worms
Quadrupeds Hydra
Bats Sensitive Plants
Ostrich
Trees Shrubs
Aquatic Birds
Herbs
Flying Fish
Fish Lichens
Eels Molds
Sea serpents Minerals
Reptiles Earth
Slugs Water
Shellfish Air
 Development of Evolutionary Concept
George Cuvier
- Theory of
Catastrophism

Image Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Cuvier
 Development of Evolutionary Concept

George Buffon
Image Source:
http://evolvingcomplexityii.wordpress.com/2008/09/07/george-louis-leclerc-comte-de-buffon-naturalist/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_edexcel/common_systems/growthrev1.shtml
 Development of Evolutionary Concept

Image Source:
Campbell, N. et al. 2012. Biology: Concepts and Connections. 7th Ed. Pearson Education Inc.
Development of Evolutionary Concepts

• Greek scholars engaged in Comparative Anatomy (18th

century)
• Organisms share common anatomical traits
Development of Evolutionary Concept
Development of Evolutionary Concept
Development of Evolutionary Concept

Perhaps…
…species share a common origin.
…species originated in more than one place.
…species had not been in perfect state.
…species have been modified over time.
 The Concept of Evolution

Theories of Evolution

Theory of Inheritance
Theory of Natural
of Acquired
Selection
Characteristics
 The Concept of Evolution

Jean Baptiste de-Lamarck

- Theory of Inheritance of
Acquired Characteristics and
Principle of Use and Disuse
Image Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Lamarck
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/theories/lamarckism-theory-of-evolution-evidence-example-in-support-and-criticism/13994/
 The Concept of Evolution

Image Source:
Campbell, N. et al. 2012. Biology: Concepts and Connections. 7th Ed. Pearson Education Inc.
 No barrier for members
How Natural High of a population to
reproductive
Selection Works? advantage
reproduce

Not enough resources in

the environment Competition

Differences in the traits

Variation of an organism due to
changes; descent with
modification

Some with survival and

reproductive advantage
Survival

Image Source:
Campbell, N. et al. 2012. Biology: Concepts and Connections. 7th Ed. Pearson Education Inc.
 Reproduction in a population
How Natural
Selection Works? Competition, Different Traits
Environmental
Survival of the pressure
More adaptive Less adaptive
Fittest
= Permits survival
Does not permit
survival
Reproduction of
the Fittest
Process of If heritable, traits Did not reproduce
differential passed on to
NS = survival and offspring
Traits not passed
reproduction
Image Source:
Campbell, N. et al. 2012. Biology: Concepts and Connections. 7th Ed. Pearson Education Inc.
 Genes and Fitness

Fit
Gene Phenotype
Unfit

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 Fitness and Adaptation

Image Sources:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Evolution.html
http://cyberbridge.mcb.harvard.edu/evolution_1.html
 Fitness and Adaptation

Image Sources:
http://kwpolar.com
http://www.polarbearendangered.com/cute-polar-bear/
 Fitness and Adaptation

Image Source:
Campbell, N. et al. 2012. Biology: Concepts and Connections. 7th Ed. Pearson Education Inc.
 Key Points for Evolution and NS
1. Although natural selection works through
interactions between the individual and the
environment, individuals do not evolve. But
rather it is the population that evolves as
adaptive traits become common in the
group.
2. Natural selection can only amplify or
diminish heritable traits.
 Key Points for Evolution and NS
3. Evolution is not goal-directed since it does
not lead to perfectly-adapted organisms.
Natural selection is more of an editing
process than creative mechanism.
4. Natural selection is dependent on time and
place.
 Diversity of Life

Diversity has evolved in response to the diversity

of environment on the planet

The environment presents challenges to the living

species to which it may respond by adaptive
genetic changes

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Unity in Diversity

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The Earth

• Origin: between 3-5

billion years ago

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 The Manlike Beings

Manlike beings
appeared between 2-4
million years ago

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Diversity of Life

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Diversity of Life
• 1.5 to 2 million species
of plants and animals
have been described
and studied

• The number of species

to be described is
probably as great

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Diversity of Life

• Virus

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Diversity of Life

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Diversity of Life

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Diversity of Life

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