Chapter 5
Evolution and
Biodiversity
Chapter Overview Questions
 How
do scientists account for the
development of life on earth?
 What is biological evolution by natural
selection, and how can it account for the
current diversity of organisms on the earth?
 How can geologic processes, climate change
and catastrophes affect biological evolution?
 What is an ecological niche, and how does it
help a population adapt to changing the
environmental conditions?
Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)
 How
do extinction of species and formation of
new species affect biodiversity?
 What is the future of evolution, and what role
should humans play in this future?
 How did we become such a powerful species
in a short time?
Updates Online
The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at
the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at
www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles.
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InfoTrac: Life After Earth: Imagining Survival Beyond This Terra
Firma. Richard Morgan. The New York Times, August 1, 2006
pF2(L).
InfoTrac: Rhinos Clinging to Survival in the Heart of Borneo,
Despite Poaching. US Newswire, March 17, 2006.
InfoTrac: Newfound Island Graveyard May Yield Clues to Dodo
Life of Long Ago. Carl Zimmer. The New York Times, July 4, 2006
pF3(L).
NASA: Evolvable Systems
American Museum of Natural History: Tree of Life
PBS: Evolution
Video: Creation Vs. Evolution
 This
video clip is available in CNN Today
Videos for Environmental Science, 2004,
Volume VII. Instructors, contact your local
sales representative to order this volume,
while supplies last.
Core Case Study
Earth: The Just-Right, Adaptable
Planet
 During
the 3.7 billion
years since life
arose, the average
surface temperature
of the earth has
remained within the
range of 10-20oC.
Figure 4-1
ORIGINS OF LIFE
1
billion years of chemical change to form the
first cells, followed by about 3.7 billion years
of biological change.
Figure 4-2
Chemical Evolution
(1 billion years)
Formation
of the
earth’s
early
crust and
atmosphere
Small
organic
molecules
form in
the seas
Large
organic
molecules
(biopolymers)
form in
the seas
Biological Evolution
(3.7 billion years)
First
protocells
form in the
seas
Single-cell
prokaryotes
form in
the seas
Single-cell
eukaryotes
form in
the seas
Variety of
multicellular
organisms
form, first
in the seas
and later
on land
Fig. 4-2, p. 84
Animation: Stanley Miller’s Experiment
PLAY
ANIMATION
Biological
Evolution
 This
has led to
the variety of
species we
find on the
earth today.
Figure 4-2
Modern humans (Homo
sapiens sapiens) appear
about 2 seconds before
midnight
Age of
mammals
Age of
reptiles
Insects and
amphibians
invade the
land
Recorded human history
begins about 1/4 second
before midnight
Origin of life
(3.6-3.8 billion
years ago)
First fossil
record of
animals
Plants
begin
invading
land
Evolution and
expansion of life
Fig. 4-3, p. 84
Animation: Evolutionary Tree of Life
PLAY
ANIMATION
Video: Creation vs. Evolution
PLAY
VIDEO

From ABC News, Environmental Science in the Headlines, 2005 DVD.
How Do We Know Which Organisms
Lived in the Past?
 Our
knowledge
about past life
comes from fossils,
chemical analysis,
cores drilled out of
buried ice, and DNA
analysis.
Figure 4-4
EVOLUTION, NATURAL
SELECTION, AND ADAPTATION
 Biological
evolution by natural selection
involves the change in a population’s genetic
makeup through successive generations.


genetic variability
Mutations: random changes in the structure or
number of DNA molecules in a cell that can be
inherited by offspring.
Animation: Stabilizing Selection
PLAY
ANIMATION
Natural Selection and Adaptation:
Leaving More Offspring With
Beneficial Traits
 Three
conditions are necessary for biological
evolution:

Genetic variability, traits must be heritable, trait
must lead to differential reproduction.
 An
adaptive trait is any heritable trait that
enables an organism to survive through
natural selection and reproduce better under
prevailing environmental conditions.
Animation: Disruptive Selection
PLAY
ANIMATION
Animation: Moth Populations
PLAY
ANIMATION
Animation: Adaptive Trait
PLAY
ANIMATION
Coevolution: A Biological Arms Race
 Interacting
species can engage in a back and
forth genetic contest in which each gains a
temporary genetic advantage over the other.

This often happens between predators and prey
species.
Hybridization and Gene Swapping:
other Ways to Exchange Genes
 New

species can arise through hybridization.
Occurs when individuals to two distinct species
crossbreed to produce an fertile offspring.
 Some
species (mostly microorganisms) can
exchange genes without sexual reproduction.

Horizontal gene transfer
Limits on Adaptation through
Natural Selection
A
population’s ability to adapt to new
environmental conditions through natural
selection is limited by its gene pool and how
fast it can reproduce.

Humans have a relatively slow generation time
(decades) and output (# of young) versus some
other species.
Common Myths about Evolution
through Natural Selection
 Evolution
through natural selection is about
the most descendants.


Organisms do not develop certain traits because
they need them.
There is no such thing as genetic perfection.
GEOLOGIC PROCESSES, CLIMATE
CHANGE, CATASTROPHES, AND
EVOLUTION
 The
movement of solid (tectonic) plates
making up the earth’s surface, volcanic
eruptions, and earthquakes can wipe out
existing species and help form new ones.


The locations of continents and oceanic basins
influence climate.
The movement of continents have allowed
species to move.
225 million years ago
65 million years ago
135 million years ago
Present
Fig. 4-5, p. 88
Video: Continental Drift
PLAY
VIDEO
Climate Change and Natural
Selection
 Changes
in climate throughout the earth’s
history have shifted where plants and
animals can live.
Figure 4-6
18,000
years before
present
Northern Hemisphere
Ice coverage
Legend
Continental ice
Sea ice
Modern day
(August)
Note:
Modern
sea ice
coverage
represents
summer
months
Land above sea level
Fig. 4-6, p. 89
Video: Dinosaur Discovery
PLAY
VIDEO

From ABC News, Environmental Science in the Headlines, 2005 DVD.
Catastrophes and Natural Selection
 Asteroids
and meteorites hitting the earth and
upheavals of the earth from geologic
processes have wiped out large numbers of
species and created evolutionary
opportunities by natural selection of new
species.
ECOLOGICAL NICHES AND
ADAPTATION
 Each
species in an ecosystem has a specific
role or way of life.


Fundamental niche: the full potential range of
physical, chemical, and biological conditions and
resources a species could theoretically use.
Realized niche: to survive and avoid
competition, a species usually occupies only part
of its fundamental niche.
Generalist and Specialist Species:
Broad and Narrow Niches
 Generalist
species tolerate
a wide range of
conditions.
 Specialist
species can
only tolerate a
narrow range of
conditions.
Figure 4-7
Number of individuals
Specialist species
with a narrow niche
Niche
separation
Generalist species
with a broad niche
Niche
breadth
Region of
niche overlap
Resource use
Fig. 4-7, p. 91
SPOTLIGHT
Cockroaches: Nature’s Ultimate
Survivors
 350
million years old
 3,500 different species
 Ultimate generalist



Can eat almost anything.
Can live and breed almost
anywhere.
Can withstand massive
radiation.
Figure 4-A
Specialized Feeding Niches
 Resource
partitioning reduces competition
and allows sharing of limited resources.
Figure 4-8
Avocet sweeps bill through
mud and surface water in
search of small crustaceans,
insects, and seeds
Ruddy
turnstone
Herring gull is a
searches
tireless scavenger
under shells
and pebbles
Dowitcher probes deeply
for small
into mud in search of
invertebrates
snails, marine worms,
and small crustaceans
Brown pelican
dives for fish,
which it locates
from the air
Black skimmer
seizes small fish
at water surface
Louisiana heron wades into
water to seize small fish
Flamingo
feeds on
minute
organisms
in mud
Scaup and other
diving ducks feed
on mollusks,
crustaceans,and
aquatic vegetation
(Birds not drawn to scale)
Oystercatcher feeds on
clams, mussels, and
other shellfish into which
it pries its narrow beak
Piping plover feeds
on insects and tiny
crustaceans on
sandy beaches
Knot (a sandpiper)
picks up worms and
small crustaceans left
by receding tide
Fig. 4-8, pp. 90-91
Video: Frogs Galore
PLAY
VIDEO

From ABC News, Environmental Science in the Headlines, 2005 DVD.
Evolutionary Divergence
 Each
species has a
beak specialized to
take advantage of
certain types of
food resource.
Figure 4-9
Fruit and seed eaters
Insect and nectar eaters
Greater Koa-finch
Kuai Akialaoa
Amakihi
Kona Grosbeak
Crested Honeycreeper
Akiapolaau
Maui Parrotbill
Unknown finch ancestor
Apapane
Fig. 4-9, p. 91
SPECIATION, EXTINCTION, AND
BIODIVERSITY
 Speciation:
A new species can arise when
member of a population become isolated for
a long period of time.

Genetic makeup changes, preventing them from
producing fertile offspring with the original
population if reunited.
Animation: Speciation on an Archipelago
PLAY
ANIMATION
Animation: Evolutionary Tree Diagrams
PLAY
ANIMATION
Geographic Isolation
 …can
lead to reproductive isolation,
divergence of gene pools and speciation.
Figure 4-10
Adapted to cold through
heavier fur,short ears, short
legs,short nose. White fur
matches snow for camouflage.
Arctic Fox
Northern
population
Early fox
Population
Spreads
northward
and southward
and separates
Southern
Population
Different environmental
conditions lead to different
selective pressures and
evolution into two different
species.
Adapted to
heat through
lightweight
fur and long
Gray Fox ears, legs,
and nose,
which give
off more
heat.
Fig. 4-10, p. 92
Extinction: Lights Out
 Extinction
occurs
when the
population
cannot adapt to
changing
environmental
conditions.
The
golden toad of Costa Rica’s
Monteverde cloud forest has
become extinct because of
changes in climate.
Figure 4-11
Cenozoic
Era
Period
Millions of
years ago
Quaternary
Today
Tertiary
65
Mesozoic
Cretaceous
Jurassic
180
Triassic
Species and families
experiencing
mass extinction
Extinction Current extinction crisis caused
by human activities. Many species
are expected to become extinct
Extinction within the next 50–100 years.
Cretaceous: up to 80% of ruling
reptiles (dinosaurs); many marine
species including many
foraminiferans and mollusks.
Extinction
Triassic: 35% of animal families,
including many reptiles and marine
mollusks.
Bar width represents relative
number of living species
250
Extinction
345
Extinction
Permian
Paleozoic
Carboniferous
Devonian
Permian: 90% of animal families,
including over 95% of marine
species; many trees, amphibians,
most bryozoans and brachiopods,
all trilobites.
Devonian: 30% of animal
families, including agnathan and
placoderm fishes and many
trilobites.
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
500
Extinction
Ordovician: 50% of animal
families, including many
trilobites.
Fig. 4-12, p. 93
Effects of Humans on Biodiversity
 The
scientific consensus is that human
activities are decreasing the earth’s
biodiversity.
Figure 4-13
Quaternary
Tertiary
Cretaceous
Devonian
Jurassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Pre-cambrian
Number of families
Terrestrial
organisms
Marine
organisms
Millions of years ago
Fig. 4-13, p. 94
GENETIC ENGINEERING AND THE
FUTURE OF EVOLUTION
 We
have used artificial selection to change
the genetic characteristics of populations with
similar genes through selective breeding.
 We
have used
genetic engineering
to transfer genes
from one species to
another.
Figure 4-15
Genetic Engineering:
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
 GMOs
use
recombinant
DNA

genes or portions
of genes from
different
organisms.
Figure 4-14
Phase 1
Make Modified Gene
E. coli
Cell
Extract DNA
Gene of
interest
DNA
Identify and
Identify and
remove portion
extract gene
of DNA with
with desired trait
desired trait
Extract
Plasmid
Genetically
modified
plasmid
Insert modified
plasmid into E. coli
Plasmid
Remove
Insert extracted
plasmid
(step 2) into plasmid
from DNA of
(step 3)
E. coli
Grow in tissue
culture to
make copies
Fig. 4-14, p. 95
Phase 2
Make Transgenic Cell
E. Coli A. tumefaciens
(agrobacterium)
Foreign DNA
Plant cell
Host DNA
Nucleus
Transfer plasmid
copies to a carrier
agrobacterium
Transfer plasmid to
surface of microscopic
metal particle
Agrobacterium inserts
foreign DNA into plant cell
to yield transgenic cell
Use gene gun to inject
DNA into plant cell
Fig. 4-14, p. 95
Phase 3
Grow Genetically Engineered Plant
Transgenic cell
from Phase 2
Cell division of
transgenic cells
Culture cells
to form plantlets
Transfer
to soil
Transgenic plants
with new traits
Fig. 4-14, p. 95
Phase 3
Grow Genetically
Engineered Plant
Transgenic cell
from Phase 2
Cell division of
transgenic cells
Culture cells
to form plantlets
Transfer to soil
Transgenic plants
with new traits
Stepped Art
Fig. 4-14, p. 95
Animation: Transgenic Plants
PLAY
ANIMATION

From ABC News, Biology in the Headlines, 2005 DVD.
How Would You Vote?
To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response
system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main
menu for Living In the Environment.
 Should
we legalize the production of human
clones if a reasonably safe technology for
doing so becomes available?


a. No. Human cloning will lead to widespread
human rights abuses and further overpopulation.
b. Yes. People would benefit with longer and
healthier lives.
THE FUTURE OF EVOLUTION
 Biologists
are learning to rebuild organisms
from their cell components and to clone
organisms.

Cloning has lead to high miscarriage rates, rapid
aging, organ defects.
 Genetic
engineering can help improve human
condition, but results are not always
predictable.

Do not know where the new gene will be located
in the DNA molecule’s structure and how that will
affect the organism.
Video: Cloned Pooch
PLAY
VIDEO

From ABC News, Biology in the Headlines, 2005 DVD.
Controversy Over
Genetic Engineering
 There
are a number of privacy, ethical, legal
and environmental issues.
 Should genetic engineering and development
be regulated?
 What are the long-term environmental
consequences?
Case Study:
How Did We Become Such a Powerful
Species so Quickly?
 We



lack:
strength, speed, agility.
weapons (claws, fangs), protection (shell).
poor hearing and vision.
 We
have thrived as a species because of
our:

opposable thumbs, ability to walk upright,
complex brains (problem solving).