Anthropology - Darwin's Evolutionary Theory & Mendelian Inheritance

19th century naturalist who developed the Theory of Evolution while observing the natural world and organisms physical differences (ex. Darwin’s finches).

The process through which populations adapt and change.

Beneficial traits aid the chances of reproduction; deficient traits limit this ability.

When resources are limited, individuals with beneficial traits survive competition and have a better chance of reproducing, passing on these traits to their offspring.

Intermingling of parental gemmules (particles residing in reproductive system) were passed on in varying amounts, explaining why children may have looked more like one parent than the other.

A 19th century monk who crossbred peas and observed different characteristic breeding outcomes.

Refers to how certain patterns of how traits are passed from parents to offspring; established in 3 principles.

1. Discrete physical units passed from one generation to the next in a mathematically determined pattern (3:1 ratio).

2. There is no ‘blending’ characteristics.

3. Less desirable traits become less frequent and disappear over time.

A ladder-like structure that makes up the genetic code of all organisms and makes up our chromosomes.

Paired units of inheritance (one from each parent) located within our cell nucleus’s, containing all hereditary genetic information.

Physical units of inheritance located on chromosomes which are code for certain traits. They are inherited independently from one another (ie. Mendel’s principle of Independent Assortment).

Describes how different genes independently separate from one another when reproductive cells develop.

The different forms of a particular gene (each gene is made of two alleles, one from each parent) and applicable to Mendel’s Principle of Segregation.

Every individual possesses two alleles, only one of which is (randomly) passed onto offspring.

Complex traits controlled by many genes that interact with one another and the environment. (Height, skin, hair, etc.)

One gene can have multiple physical affects (achondroplasia).

Traits which appear as distinct categories, as in a single gene controls the expression of this trait, eg. eye colour, blood type, etc.

Traits which appear on a gradient, as in multiple genes contribute to the expression of a single trait, eg. skin colour, height, etc.

A genetic combination of an individuals alleles that is not outwardly visible nor alterable.

The outward appearance or expression of a genotype, which is variable and can be altered by environmental inputs.

The entirety of all genetic information for an organisms.

The set of all traits expressed by an organism.

Recessive alleles are only expressed if the individual is homozygous for that allele. (Redheads.)

The replication of the bodies cells, where a cell replicates its DNA and divides into two identical copies.

A cell divison in sexually reproducing organisms that halves its chromosomes (23) to exchange genetic information with another cell and result in a zygote (offspring), creating new genetic combinations.

New genes arise due to random changes in existing genes as a result of an error in DNA replication. If it’s beneficial it is passed on and if not rooted out through natural selection.

The diffusion or spread of new (to them) genetic material between populations of the same species. The result of migrations of animals, and similarity increases overtime.

Random change in allele frequency which increases differences between groups of a species; becomes more pronounced in smaller populations when they leave their parent group.

1. Natural selection

2. Recombination during meiosis

3. Mutations during DNA replication

4. Gene flow

5. Genetic drift

The process of forming a new species, which occurs when genetic variation reaches a point of reproductive incompatibility and a split lineage.

• Basic classificatory unit of biology of groups of potentially interbreeding natural populations, reproductively isolated from other groups (Biological Species Concept)

• Share features related to location, appearance, morphology, behaviour, genetics and reproduction, etc.

Occurs when circumstances prevent two populations from breeding and leads to genetic differences that eventually become to great and result in two different species.

When one common ancestor leads to many closely related species, with the variation dependent on their niche or environment. (Marsupial family!)

Development of similar species due to similar variations, despite no common ancestor or genetic material

Humans are born into different environments that become entangled with our biology; basic perceptions (such as smell and colour) are shaped mutually by physiology and cultural experience.