Ch 14: Basics of Evolution
About This Chapter
Basics of Evolution - Chapter Summary
Evolution is the theory that all living organisms change over time, and there are various factors and processes that cause these changes. In these lessons, you will go over details about the theories associated with evolution, how evolutionary processes work, and other related concepts. Our instructors have prepared these lessons to guide you through the basics, making sure to go over definitions, terminology, and important information about scientists who have contributed to the theories about evolution. Use your favorite device to go through the lesson materials, and remember that everything we offer is online, so you can always take your study materials with you. Plus, if you get stuck, you can send any of your questions to our instructors. In these lessons, you will learn:
- To understand the concept of evolution and related theories
- What are adaptation and the natural selection process
- How to identify different kinds of natural selection
1. Theories of Evolution: Lamarck vs. Darwin
We'll look at the interplay between population genetics and environment. Are traits individually acquired or do entire populations evolve? The flying hamsters and a few other notable experiments will provide the answers.
2. Natural Selection & Adaptation: Definition, Theory & Examples
How does natural selection help shape the amazing types of animals we witness around us? In this lesson, we'll explore adaptations and what they can tell us about a species' past evolution.
3. Natural Selection: Definition, Types & Examples
We'll take a look at the types of natural selection that can occur. From flying hamsters to moths, you'll start to grasp the different paths organisms can take as they respond to their changing environments over time.
4. Speciation: Allopatric and Sympatric Speciation
Discover the definition of a species and learn more about how species split. Find out common terms related to the splitting of species and study what role polyploidy plays in the development of a species.
5. Prezygotic Reproductive Barriers & Speciation: Definition & Examples
We may take for granted why animals choose to mate with other animals of similar appearance, but it's not that simple. There are actually biological barriers to reproduction that can prevent even seemingly closely related species from reproducing. This lesson looks at one such category of hindrances, prezygotic barriers, which make fertilization impossible.
6. Postzygotic Reproductive Barriers: Definition & Examples
Do flying hamsters represent a separate species from your run-of-the-mill hamsters? We'll get to the bottom of this by performing crosses between the two hamster types. You'll explore postzygotic reproductive barriers and their possibly tragic consequences.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Science 101: Intro to Natural Sciences course
- Atomic Structure & Fundamentals of Matter
- Introduction to Thermodynamics
- Cell Biology Fundamentals
- Introduction to Molecular Biology
- Introduction to Biochemistry
- Cellular Reproduction Processes
- Molecular Genetics Overview
- Plant Anatomy, Physiology & Processes
- Animal Reproduction, Growth and Development
- Animal Anatomy, Physiology & Functions
- Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Environmental Science Fundamentals
- Introduction to Ecology
- The Origin and History of Life On Earth
- Phylogeny and the Classification of Organisms
- Studying for Science 101