Evolution Review Sheet
Chapter 21- Genes within Populations
1. Define population, gene pool
2. Describe 5 agents of evolutionary change- mutation and variation, gene flow,
non-random mating, genetic drift, and selection. How do they affect populations?
Which of these produces adaptive evolutionary change?
3. What are the sources of variation in a population?
4. Remember- species have variation that can allow them to survive a changing
environment.
5. Define the term “evolutionary fitness”
6. State the Hardy-Weinberg principle and apply it to solve problems in population
genetics.
7. What does it mean “to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium”? Name and describe
the 5 conditions that upset the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. How does this relate
to the 5 agents of evolutionary change?
8. What can changes in allele frequency over time (as measured by the H-W
equations) tell us about the evolutionary forces acting on the population?
9. What is the heterozygote advantage? Give an example.
10. Describe how the heterozygote genotype helps to maintain the recessive alleles in
a population, even when the recessive genotype is absent.
Chapter 22-Evidence for Evolution
1. Compare and contrast Lamarck’s theory of evolution to Darwin’s theory of
evolution.
2. Explain what observations on Darwin’s voyage helped him formulate his theory.
3. Describe Darwin’s idea of “Evolution by Means of Natural Selection”. Be sure to
understand and describe: Variation, Over-production of offspring, Competition,
Differential survival, Differential reproduction.
4. Describe Darwin’s conclusion of how the finches came to and became so diverse
on the Galapagos Islands.
5. Describe and provide examples of types of evidence that supports evolution by
natural selection--fossil record (horse and whale), anatomic record (homologues
and analogues structures, vestigial structures, comparative embryology),
molecular record (comparing DNA and protein structure, universal genetic code),
and artificial selection.
6. Describe and provide examples of convergent and parallel evolution and
coevolution.
7. Describe and provide examples of types of Selection: Predation, Physiological,
and Sexual.
8. What effects might selection have on a population: directional, disruptive, and
stabilizing selection.
9. Describe and provide examples of types of genetic drift: founder effect,
bottleneck effect.
Chapter 23-The Origin of Species
1. What is the “Biological Species Concept”?
2. Compare and contrast allopatric speciation and sympatric speciation.
3. How do populations become isolated? (geographic and reproductive isolation)
4. What can result from isolated populations?
5. Describe and provide examples of pre-zygotic (pre-reproductive) and post-zygotic
(post-reproductive) barriers.
6. Describe two theories that describe the rate of speciation over time (gradualism
and punctuated equilibrium).
7. Explain what is meant by the statement that “evolution is not goal-oriented.”
8. Describe how biologist can use information from DNA sequences can be used to
develop phylogenetic trees.
9. Interpret information given in a cladogram.