Population Genetics and Speciation: Micro and Macroevolution Notes
Micro Evolution
1. Key vocabulary
a. Population
b. Gene Pool
c. Alleles
d. Allele frequency
2. What actually evolves? Individuals, Populations, Ecosystems? Explain
3. Explain each:
a. Microevolution
b. Macroevolution
4. Microevolution. There are 5 agents/ mechanisms for evolution to occur on the genetic level. Explain each with an
example.
a. Gene Flow:
b. Genetic Drift:
i. Which size of population is most susceptible to genetic drift?
ii. What is the bottleneck effect and how does it apply? Example.
iii. What is the founder effect and how does it apply? Example.
c. Mutations:
i. The 3 types of mutations are:
d. Non-random Mating (sexual selection):
e. Natural Selection:
5. So. Populations evolve because of the mechanisms of microevolution. What can individuals do? Apply this
information to a couple traveling to a ski resort at 10,000ft from sea level. What do these individuals do? Why can
they do it?
6. What is the only way to ultimately prove evolution occurs?
7. What is the formula used to show changes in allele frequency? (we’ll cover this in more detail later)
Macroevolution
8. What is macroevolution?
9. What is the necessary criteria for speciation; what needs to happen first?
10. What is speciation? What is the term given for what happens when populations become reproductively isolated
from one another?
11. There are several ways that populations become isolated from one another. They are listed below. Explain each with
an example.
a. Mechanical:
b. Behavioral (Temporal):
c. Hybridization:
d. Geographic:
12. There are three patterns or models for macroevolution. They are listed below. Explain each with an example.
a. Coevolution:
b. Adaptive radiation:
c. Key innovation:
13. How quickly do species evolve? There are two schools of thought, each with its own evidence. Explain each.
a. Gradualism:
b. Punctuated equilibrium:
14. When does evolution end? There are two main ways that we’ll discuss. Explain each.
a. Stasis:
b. Extinction:
15. Below is a model showing the evolution of one species into two. Some parts exhibit signs of microevolution whereas
some show signs of macroevolution. In the graphic, label where microevolution is taking place, listing the sources
(agents/mechanisms), and label where macroevolution is taking place. Show where divergence happens.