Life: The Science of Biology
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781319010164
Author: David E. Sadava, David M. Hillis, H. Craig Heller, Sally D. Hacker
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 20.1, Problem 5R
Summary Introduction
To explain:
Whether it is possible that natural selection alone would prefer some individuals, who are genetically inclined to combat diseases like Alzheimer’s in human populations.
Introduction:
When the traits of organisms, including plants and animals, are favored by nature then their selection is called as natural selection. Nature encourages the survival of best-suited traits and organisms that could be fit for living in the environmental conditions.
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Life: The Science of Biology
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- The original source of new alleles, upon which selection operates,is mutation, a random event that occurs without regard to selectionalvalue in the organism. Although many model organismshave been used to study mutational events in populations, someinvestigators have developed abiotic molecular models. Soll et al.(2006. Genetics 175:267–275) examined one such model to studythe relationship between both deleterious and advantageousmutations and population size in a ligase molecule composed ofRNA (a ribozyme). Soll found that the smaller the population ofmolecules, the more likely it was that not only deleterious mutationsbut also advantageous mutations would disappear. Whywould population size influence the survival of both types ofmutations (deleterious and advantageous) in populations?arrow_forwardWhy is the elimination of a fully recessive deleteriousallele by natural selection difficult in a large populationand less so in a small population?arrow_forwardDo you think the human race is continuing to evolve in a Darwinian, genetic sense? Are the genes of our species changing? Do not just write "yes" or "no," but explain why you think so. In addition, include in your explanation of how the mechanisms of evolution, such as natural selection, would be at play.arrow_forward
- Which of the following is not true of natural selection? (a) natural selection acts to preserve favorable traits and eliminate unfavorable traits (b) the offspring of individuals that are better adapted to the environment will make up a larger proportion of the next generation (c) natural selection directs the course of evolution by preserving the traits acquired during an individuals lifetime (d) natural selection acts on a populations genetic variability, which arises through mutation (e) natural selection may result in changes in allele frequencies in a populationarrow_forwardFred and George are arguing over evolution. Fred posits that evolution can occur in any population as long as all members gradually undergo change. George disagrees; he thinks that individual memebers of the population do not change but instead have offspring with the trait(s) of interest and thus a population evolves over generations. Who is right? Choose the best answe a. Fred is right! As members of the population respond to the environment, they change to suit it better O b. Fred is right! All memebers of the population must change aroudn the same time O c. George is right Evolution occurs over generations as only the beneficial traits are passed onto the next generation. O d. George is right! Individuals don't change their alleles, but the offspring they have contributes to the change in population allele frequenciesarrow_forwardIf vestigial traits are no longer useful to an organism, why don't they evolve out of the population? * Individuals with the trait have developed new ways to use them. Individuals that have the trait continue to survive and reproduce, and they pass on th genes for that trait to the next generation. Individuals that have the trait must have some sort of evolutionary advantage. The individuals that have the trait become less common over time. Sign out US %23 24 96 &. back 2 3. 4. 8. e tab b n m shift ctri ctri altarrow_forward
- A case can be made that the sedentary way of life characteristicof many people today is a very recent development in humanhistory, dating from at most a century or so ago. According to thisline of argument, physical exertion was a regular part of daily lifefor most people during most of human evolution. From this pointof view, in what way do recent gene-transcription data suggestthat physical exertion is in fact probably essential for full health?arrow_forwardWith regard to biological evolution, which of the following statements is incorrect? Explain why.A. During its lifetime, an animal evolves to become better adaptedto its environment.B. The process of biological evolution has produced species thatare better adapted to their environments.C. When an animal is better adapted to its environment, the process of natural selection makes it more likely that the animalwill reproduce.arrow_forwardEvolutionary biologists often say that evolution “selects for outcomes” not for the particular genetic changes that lead to that adaptive outcome. Given that perspective, is it surprising that different gene mutations might be involved in the evolution of the same trait (such as light skin or adaptation to living in high mountains)? Why or why not?arrow_forward
- Which of the following is an example of a limitation on adaptation through natural selection? In a population of bacteria exposed to an antibiotic, there may be no individual with a resistance gene on which selection can act. O Bacteria reproduce very rapidly. Natural selection can only work to improve a species in the longer term and would not allow selection of something that would only have a short-term benefit. Mutations are very rare. Most animal populations have little genetic variation on which selection can act.arrow_forwardWhich of the following is NOT one of the three features of evolution by natural selection? Offspring tend to resemble their parents because of heredity. O Individuals in populations show variation in their phenotypes. Organisms can induce the phenotypic changes they need to survive and reproduce in a given environment. O Some individuals survive and reproduce better than others, because of their phenotypes.arrow_forwardCertain genes influence the probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions that occur mostly in old age. Given that the genes controlling old age have their onset long after people have stopped having children, how could evolution have any effect on such genes?arrow_forward
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