1. Evolution
Chpt. 16-3

2. Modern Synthesis of Evolutionary Theory
Since Darwin’s time, discoveries in genetics have been added to his theory to explain evolution
Mendel’s laws of heredity opened the door to a genetic explanation of evolution

3. Remaining Questions about Evolution
Can individuals evolve?
Populations evolve when natural selection acts (indirectly) on genes
Individuals do not evolve

4. Remaining Questions about Evolution
Does evolution always produce the “fittest” form?
“Fitness” is the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce
Variation does not always provide the best adaptation
Evolution may produce those that “fit” well enough to leave offspring

5. Remaining Questions about Evolution
Is evolution predictable?
Scientists cannot predict the exact path of evolution

6. Microevolution & Macroevolution
A change in the genes of populations
Macroevolution
The appearance in new species over time

7. Speciation Speciation is the formation of new species.
A species is a group of organism that are closely related and that can mate to produce fertile offspring.

8. Microevolution
It is important to look at the process by which inherited traits change over time
Natural selection and mutation affect the kinds of genes that will exist in a population from generation to generation

9. Macroevolution
It is important to look at the patterns in which new species evolve
Adaptive Radiation: Over time, species may split into two or more lineages (or descendants). After splitting repeats, one species can give rise to many new species.