Process of
Evolutionary
Change
1. Genetic variation
The GENEPOOL concept.
A metaphorical representation of all the alleles found in a
population. The more variety of alleles the more OPTIONS
a population has to evolve.
All dogs belong to the same species. Their shape, color and
form all show the genetic variation within the species.
(Example: alleles EdBBAc results in a pointer)
More VARIATION of alleles = more OPTIONS
“The non constancy of species”
7
Genetic Variation in Western
Diamondback Rattlesnake
2. Overproduction of offspring
3. Competition
4. Adaptations
1. Giraffes
2. Arctic
animals
3. Bird displays
(Male royal peacock &
male quetzal)
4. Lizards
5. Red deer & Reindeer
6. Zebras
7. Vipers - West African Gaboon Viper
7. Vipers - Namibian Sidewinder
8. Armadillo
9. Crocs &
hippos
10. Sloths & orangutans
11. Bison & Muscox
12. Humpback
Whales
Fitness
Evolutionary fitness refers to an
organism’s ability to have offspring and
pass on his genes. The more offspring the
higher the fitness.
!
It is a measure of how well adapted an
organism is to its environment.
!
Has nothing to do with physical abilities
and/or athletic performance.
5. Descent with Modification
Genes mutate and/or rearrange, selection occurs, small changes accrue, genotypic and phenotypic differences accrue, populations evolve…