PS102 Lecture Notes - Natural Selection, Surface Roughness, Guanine
Document Summary
Nativists: emphasized genes and inborn characteristics (nature) Empiricists: focused on learning and experience (nurture) Evolution is a change in gene frequencies within a population over many generations. Changes may result from: mutations (errors in copying of dna sequences during division of cells that produce sperm and eggs) During formation of sperm or eggs small segments of dna can cross over to another chromosome pair. Individuals with genetically influenced traits that are adaptive in particular environments tend to survive and reproduce in greater numbers ( survival of the fittest ) As a result, traits become more common in the population. Darwin also proposed that genes were determined by sexual selection. Intersexual selection a member of one sex chooses a mate from the other sex on the basis of certain characteristics. Intrasexual selection members of the same sex compete for a partner of the other sex. So we may have psychological functions that are adaptive.