1. Adaptations and Mutations
Genetic Success
Adaptations and Mutations

2. Natural Selection Adaptation Mutation Mutagen Cancer Carcinogen
OUTCOME QUESTION(S):
S1-1-08:
What are some ways plants and animals improve their chance to reproduce?
S1-1-15:
How can lifestyle choices affect your genetics and development?
Vocabulary & Concepts 
Natural Selection Adaptation
Mutation Mutagen
Cancer Carcinogen

3. Natural selection is the gradual process of traits becoming more common in a population because the traits may improve reproductive success of organisms in an environment.
(It is a key mechanism of evolution)
Luck and timing has something to do with it too…

4. Think of traits that have evolved to help an organism (including humans) survive its environment and reproduce.

5. disadvantage : no offspring
Anything that gives you an advantage will help you pass that positive trait on to offspring
disadvantage : no offspring

6. “Only The Strong Survive”
Adaptation: a naturally selected trait that enhances reproductive success.
Can be physical or behavioural
How would big tail feathers make him more successful? How would they make him less successful?

7. Examples of Adaptations
Behavioural
caring for young
mating calls
dances
fighting
Physical
colours / camouflage
size / shape
pheromones
multiple offspring
Those best able to modify their behavior or those with positive alleles that improve their survival and reproductive success pass on these traits to future offspring

8. Mutation:
A mistake or error resulting in an incorrect DNA sequence with parts lost, changed or mixed.
Gene mutation: change in an individual gene or segment
Chromosomal mutation: changes in total number present
Common Gene Mutations

9. Natural causes of mutation: Spontaneous copying or separation error
Aging
Obesity and poor diet
Environmental causes of mutation:
Exposure to chemicals/toxins called mutagens
~ pollution, pesticides, tobacco, alcohol, food additives…
Exposure to ionizing radiation (UV, X-rays)
Infection by some viruses
Gamete mutation: can be passed on
Somatic (body cell) mutation: not passed on

10. Somatic cells mutate once every 3 billion reproductions
Genetic mutations are common but very rarely are they serious mutations:
Usually recessive and masked by dominant allele
Usually insignificant in the effect on the body
Somatic cells mutate once every 3 billion reproductions

11. Gene and/or Chromosomal Disorders
Down Syndrome
Heart Disease
Turner’s Syndrome
Diabetes
Huntington's Disease
Cancer
Cystic Fibrosis
Tourette Syndrome
Sickle-cell Anemia
Lupus
Some develop from multiple mutations and environmental causes making them difficult to study and treat

12. Cancer A mutation that affects cell division:
causing spontaneous, uncontrolled division.
May involve inherited gene mutations
Caused by exposure to environmental mutagens
mutagen that triggers cancer - carcinogen
A normal cell has “detectors” that tell it when to stop replicating or when it is somewhere it should not be

13. Quickly dividing mutated cells create a cancerous tumour.
Genes controlling cell division are particularly susceptible to mutations.
Quickly dividing mutated cells create a cancerous tumour.

15. CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? S1-1-08:
What are some ways plants and animals improve their chance to reproduce?
S1-1-15:
How can lifestyle choices affect your genetics and development?
Vocabulary & Concepts 
Natural Selection Adaptation
Mutation Mutagen
Cancer Carcinogen