BIOL 2P05 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Phylogenetic Diversity, Relative Survival, Selective Breeding

• School: Brock University
• Department: Biological Sciences
• Course: BIOL 2P05
• Professor: Mike Bidochka

Document Summary

Study of the origin, maintenance and diversity of life on earth over 3. 5 billion years. Can infer relationships b/n species, track diversity of life, test hypotheses. 2 concepts: diversity of life has descended from previously existing species, fit of species to their enviro is a result of natural selection. All living things descended from a common ancestor. Descent w/ modification: understanding species evolution need to determine, which ancestral species it descended from, what modifications occurred. Fitness: relative survival rates & reproductive success: most mutations have little effect, most genetic mutations (g. m. ) are neutral or negative. Accumulation of advantageous mutations over long periods can produce effects. New species, genera: major transitions: evolution of multicellularity. Food we eat is a result of evolutionary change. Process of human-directed selective breeding (artificial selection: hardiest, quickest growing, best tasting plants (strawberry) are chosen as parent stock for next generation. Increased crop productivity: natural selection favours pests resistant to pesticides (cid:1005)(cid:1013)(cid:1012)(cid:1004)(cid:859)s dia(cid:373)o(cid:374)d(cid:271)a(cid:272)k (cid:373)oths.