write a 2 page lengthy paper explaining the materials learned in BIO 11A. Apply
ID: 73636 • Letter: W
Question
write a 2 page lengthy paper explaining the materials learned in BIO 11A.
Apply the scientific method to design an experiment to test a hypothesis using appropriate controls based on current theories in biology.
Describe the cell’s structural components and their function.
Demonstrate how living organisms utilize ATP.
Analyze the process of meiosis as it relates to biological diversity.
Understand how the Hardy-Weinberg equation measures genetic change within a population.
Apply Darwin’s theory of natural selection to genetic variation and its effects on environmental adaptation
Explanation / Answer
1) The struggle for existence means the competition between species to obtain food, living space and other needs of life. In the struggle, the predators having advantage would catch more prey and if the prey has an advantage could have better escaping options like camouflage or protection like that of porcupine. This is the central idea of Darwin’s theory of evolution. A key factor leading the struggle for existence is the suitable of organism to its environment to survive and reproduce. This is known as fitness. Some organisms adapt certain characters to improve their chance of survival. This can be explained as survival of the fittest which gives the idea that the organism that can fit more in an environment can survive longer and reproduce successfully.
To prove the natural selection as the mechanism of the evolution proposed by Darwin, Peter and Rosemary grant of Princeton University had studied on the banding and measuring of finches on Galapagos Islands. Darwin proposed that the finches with different shapes of beaks have descended from a common ancestor. Peter and Rosemary grant have identified that the Darwin’s hypothesis was based on two testable assumptions.
One is the order for beak size and shape to evolve enough inheritable variation must occur in the traits provides a raw material for natural selection. The other one is differences in beak size and shape produces difference in fitness allowing the natural selection to occur. The grants have tested this hypothesis on medium ground pinch on Daphne Major one the Galapagos Islands.
2)
The phenotype of an individual is greatly influenced by its genotype and the environment. The evolution takes place basing on the natural selection of characteristics in an individual. The phenotypic variations are caused through the substantial genetic variations in the organisms. The genetic variation in an organism may result in high or low frequency of an allele and may reach the fixation at a particular time. The new allele may replace the ancestral allele completely and results in the genetic variation in the new generation.
The natural selection can be expressed in terms of inheritance of characteristics that genetically vary from one generation to other. But, evolution and inheritance of new characteristics may not be in equilibrium and hence, the new alleles may be lost rapidly. Establishment of equilibrium between selection and inheritance can be better explained by the Hardy – Weinberg equation which maintains the population with genetic variation at equilibrium or constant in absence of selection, mutation, migration and genetic drift. The variation at genetic level is obtained by mutations or sexual reproduction. Migration or gene flow may also result in variation. Thus, small differences at genetic level will lead to the formation of new species or evolution of the population.
Natural selection enables the individuals to inherit the characteristics to their offspring, make them to produce more offspring and adaptation to the environment to maintain the characteristics at a constant level. Thus, the genetic variations and natural selection allow the populations to undergo the evolution.
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