BIOL 1500 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Adaptationism, Common Descent, Biogeography
Document Summary
Trait that is favoured by natural selection and increases an individuals fitness in a particular environment. Proposes that every trait an organism has is adaptable in some way. Co founder of the ideas of natural selection along with. Alternate versions of the same gene, produced by mutations. Comparison of anatomy of several related species can reveal similarities in structure, despite differences in function. Distribution of organisms on earth related to evolutionary history such that a group of organisms in one geographic location is more closely related than groups in different locations. Proposed by linnaeus, field of science attempting to organize biodiversity into discrete, logical categories. Individuals of the same species that live and breed in the same geographic area. Prominent figure in the field of evolution, proposed that species must be adaptable in order to survive and those who had adaptable traits passed those on to their offspring. Looks at the function of each trait (why ducks have webbed feet)