Evolutionary Processes Chapter 25 Evolutionary Processes

Key Concepts The Hardy-Weinberg principle acts as a null hypothesis when researchers want to test whether evolution or nonrandom mating is occurring at a particular gene. Each of the four evolutionary mechanisms has different consequences. Only natural selection produces adaptation. Genetic drift causes random fluctuations in allele frequencies. Gene flow equalizes allele frequencies between populations. Mutation introduces new alleles.

Key Concepts, cont’d Inbreeding changes genotype frequencies but does not change allele frequencies. Sexual selection leads to the evolution of traits that help individuals attract mates. It is usually stronger on males than on females

Hardy-Weinberg Principle A mathematical model to analyze alleles in a population p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1 p + q = 1 p symbolizes frequency of one allele (A1) and q symbolizes frequency of another allele (A2) frequency x 100 = % pp = homozygous for A1, qq = homozygous for A2, and pq is heterozygous

Evolutionary Mechanisms Natural Selection- alleles are favored, dependent on the environment Genetic Drift- any change in allele frequencies in a population that is due to chance Gene Flow- movement of alleles from one population to another Mutation- changes in the makeup of chromosomes or in specific DNA sequences

Natural Selection Directional Selection- selection where the population goes to an allele away from the average Stabilizing Selection- selection where more of the population express the average allele Disruptive Selection- population where the population splits into two alleles different from the average

Genetic Drift Random elimination of a portion of the population (not dependent on traits) Causes: Bottleneck Effect- random death Founder Effect- colonizing in another location

Evolutionary Mechanisms Gene Flow: migration of a members of the population to another population Mutations: change in the DNA to produce new traits

Inbreeding Inbreeding- increases homozygous dominant and recessive genotypes Sexual Selection- acquired traits by males increase rate of reproduction Increase the frequency of the trait in a population