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Chaprter 5 Environmental Science

The document discusses evolution and biodiversity. It covers the core concepts of evolution including common ancestry and descent with modification. It describes how phylogenies reflect evolutionary relationships and how they are constructed. It also provides examples of genetic variation and natural selection.

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jeboy Daquiz
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50 views6 pages

Chaprter 5 Environmental Science

The document discusses evolution and biodiversity. It covers the core concepts of evolution including common ancestry and descent with modification. It describes how phylogenies reflect evolutionary relationships and how they are constructed. It also provides examples of genetic variation and natural selection.

Uploaded by

jeboy Daquiz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 5:

Environmental Science: Biodiversity and Evolution

Introduction

Biological evolution is more than just a case of time passing. Trees shed their
leaves, mountain ranges increase and disintegrate, but these changes are not
examples of biological evolution because they do not involve descent through genetic
inheritance.
The core concept of biological evolution is that all life on Earth has a common
ancestor, just as you and your cousins do.
The common ancestor of life on Earth gave rise to the incredible diversity that
we see preserved in the fossil record and all around us now through the process of
descent with modification. Humans and oak trees, hummingbirds and whales are all
distant cousins, thanks to evolution.

The history of life: looking at the patterns

Evolution’s core theories are that life has a past, that it has evolved over time,
and that different species have shared ancestors.

You will learn about how “family trees” reflect evolutionary change and
relationships, how they’re built, and how this information affects biological
classification. You’ll also find a timeline of history, as well as information on some key
events in human evolution and the origin of life.
The Family Tree

The process of evolution produces a pattern of


relationships between species. Their evolutionary paths
diverge as lineages evolve and divide, and changes are
inherited. This results in an evolutionary relationship
branching pattern.
We may reconstruct evolutionary relationships and
reflect them on a “family tree,” called a phylogeny, through
analyzing inherited species characteristics and other
historical proof. The phylogeny you see below represents the
basic relationships that tie all life on Earth together.

The Three Domains

This tree, like many phylogenetic trees, is based on a theory about how
creatures are related. It depicts the idea that all life is interconnected and may be split
into three primary clades, or domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota.
Many lines of evidence support the tree, but it is unlikely to be perfect.
Hypotheses are regularly reevaluated and compared to new evidence by scientists. As
more data becomes available, scientists may alter these assumptions, altering parts of
the tree's branches.

Understanding Phylogenies

It's like reading a family tree to comprehend a phylogeny. The ancestral lineage
is represented by the root of the tree, and the offspring of that ancestor are
represented by the tips of the branches. You are moving forward in time as you
proceed from the root to the tip.

A phylogeny shows branching when a lineage separates (speciation). A single


ancestral branch produces two or more daughter lineages when a speciation event
occurs.
Phylogenies are diagrams that show how lineages share ancestors. Each
lineage's history is divided into elements that are unique to it and parts that are
shared with other lineages.

Similarly, each lineage has its own set of ancestors as well as descendants that
are shared with other lineages.

Important Events in the History of Life

A timeline can reveal details about life's evolution that aren't obvious in an
evolutionary tree. Major geologic events, climate changes, creature radiation into new
habitats, ecological changes, continental shifts, and widespread extinctions are all
examples of these. Look at the timeline below to learn about some of life's history.
major events.

Genetic Variability and Natural Selection

The genetic makeup of organisms within a population changes, which is


referred to as genetic variety. Genes are inherited DNA segments that contain the
instructions for making proteins. Alternate forms of genes, known as alleles,
determine various features that can be handed down from parents to kids.

Differences in the genetic makeup of individuals in a community are referred to


as genetic variety. In natural selection, genetic diversity is required. Environmentally
selected features enable organisms to adapt to their surroundings and pass on their
genes in natural selection. Mutations, gene flow, and sexual reproduction are all major
contributors to variation. DNA mutations affect the genes of people in a community,
resulting in genetics.

As new people with different gene combinations migrate into a group, gene flow
leads to genetic variety. Sexual reproduction encourages a population's gene
combinations to change, resulting in genetic variety. Eye color, blood type, animal
camouflage, and plant leaf alteration are all examples of genetic variety.

The mechanisms of natural selection and biological evolution rely heavily on


genetic variety. Natural selection does not happen by random, but genetic variants
that occur in a population do. Natural selection is the outcome of genetic variations in
a population interacting with the environment. Genetic variations are more favorable
or better adapted for survival is determined by the environment. More favorable
features are passed on to the population as creatures with these environmentally
chosen genes survive and reproduce.

Genetic Variation Causes

DNA mutation, gene flow (the


movement of genes from one population to
another), and sexual reproduction are the
main sources of genetic variation. Because
environments are inherently unstable,
populations with genetic variation will be
better equipped to adapt to changing
circumstances than populations without
genetic variation.
A mutation in the DNA sequence is
referred to as a mutation. Variations in
gene sequences can be beneficial to an
organism in some cases. Many mutations that cause genetic variation result in
features that are neither advantageous nor disadvantageous. By changing genes and
alleles in a population, mutations cause genetic variety. They could affect a single gene
or an entire chromosome. Even though mutations alter an organism's genotype
(genetic composition), they do not always alter its phenotype.
Gene Flow, also known as gene migration, occurs when organisms migrate to a
new habitat and introduce new genes into the population. The availability of novel
alleles in the gene pool enables new gene combinations to be created. The emigration
of organisms out of a population can also change gene frequencies. New creatures
entering a community may aid organisms in adapting to changing environmental
conditions. The loss of genetic diversity could come from organisms leaving a group.
Sexual reproduction encourages genetic diversity by resulting in diverse gene
combinations. The creation of sex cells or gametes is known as meiosis. When gametes
are separated and randomly joined during fertilization, genetic variety develops.
Through meiosis, genetic recombination occurs during crossing over or the exchanging
of gene segments in homologous chromosomes.
Genetic Variation Examples

The environment determines which genetic features are advantageous in a


population. Organisms that are better at adapting to their surroundings are more
likely to pass on their genes and desirable characteristics. Sexual selection is frequent
in nature, with animals choosing mates with desirable characteristics. Even though
females prefer to mate with males who have more desirable characteristics, these
genes become more common in a community over time.
The skin color, hair color, dimples, freckles, and blood type of a person are all
examples of genetic variants that can exist in a human population. Modified leaves of
carnivorous plants and the creation of flowers that resemble insects to attract plant
pollinators are examples of genetic variation in plants. Gene flow is a common cause of
gene variation in plants. Pollen is transported across long distances by wind or
pollinators.

Albinism, striped cheetahs, flying snakes, animals that play dead, and animals
that mimic leaves are all examples of genetic variety in animals. These differences
enable the animals to better adapt to their surroundings.

Natural Selection

Darwin's broad concept of evolution by natural selection is straightforward, but


it is frequently misunderstood. Consider a population of beetles to see how it works:

1. There is a wide range of qualities.


2. Differential reproduction exists. Because the environment can no longer
support unrestricted population increase, not everyone could reproduce to their
full capacity. Green beetles, for example, are more likely to be eaten by birds
and to survive to breed than brown beetles.
3. There is a component of heredity. Because this feature has a hereditary
foundation, the surviving brown beetles have brown baby beetles.
4. End result: As a result, brown coloring, which permits the beetle to have more
offspring, becomes more common in the population. If the current trend
continues, the entire population will soon turn brown.

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