Ch 16: Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 16: Evolution of Populations
About This Chapter
How it works:
- Identify the lessons in Prentice Hall Biology Evolution of Populations chapter with which you need help.
- Find the corresponding video lessons within this companion course chapter.
- Watch fun videos that cover evolution of populations topics you need to learn or review.
- Complete the quizzes to test your understanding.
- If you need additional help, rewatch the videos until you've mastered the material or submit a question for one of our instructors.
Students will learn:
- Genetic variability and random mutation
- Hardy Weinberg equilibrium overview, equation and evolutionary agents
- Allopatric and sympatric speciation
- Prezygotic and postzygotic barriers
Prentice Hall Biology is a registered trademark of Prentice Hall Inc., which is not affiliated with Study.com.

1. Genetic Variability and Random Mutation
Evolution is driven by variation among populations. The amount of variability determines how well a population can adapt to environmental changes, while random mutations can provide new variations that help a population adapt to unexpected changes.

2. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium I: Overview
In this lesson, we'll examine population genetics in greater detail. We'll also explore notions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for large, stable populations. Is the genetic makeup of our flying hamster population changing? The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can serve as a reference point as we try to answer population genetics questions.

3. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium II: The Equation
The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation is represented by a polynomial, so we'll have to do some calculations. Don't be intimidated; a few coin tosses can help us make sense of allelic frequencies in a given gene pool.

4. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium III: Evolutionary Agents
In this lesson, you'll learn how the Hardy-Weinberg equation relates to different evolutionary agents and population changes. Discover how the equation may be used to discover populations that are not in equilibrium.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 Prentice Hall Biology: Online Textbook Help course
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 1: The Science of Biology
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 2: The Chemistry of Life
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 3: The Biosphere
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Communities
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 5: Populations
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 6: Humans in the Biosphere
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 7: Cell Structure and Function
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 8: Photosynthesis
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 9: Cellular Respiration
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 10: Cell Growth and Division
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 11: Introduction to Genetics
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 12: DNA and RNA
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 13: Genetic Engineering
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 14: The Human Genome
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 15: Darwin's Theory of Evolution
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 17: The History of Life
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 18: Classification
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 19: Bacteria and Viruses
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 20: Protists
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 21: Fungi
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 22: Plant Diversity
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 23: Roots, Stems, and Leaves
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 24: Reproduction of Seed Plants
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 25: Plant Responses and Adaptations
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 26: Sponges and Cnidarians
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 27: Worms and Mollusks
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 28: Arthropods and Echinoderms
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 29: Comparing Invertebrates
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 30: Nonvertebrate Chordates, Fishes, and Amphibians
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 31: Reptiles and Birds
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 32: Mammals
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 33: Comparing Chordates
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 34: Animal Behavior
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 35: Nervous System
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 36: Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 37: Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 38: Digestive and Excretory Systems
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 39: Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
- Prentice Hall Biology Chapter 40: The Immune System and Disease