1. Unit 7 Notes: Evolution, Sex, Misconceptions

2. (1) Vocabulary:
Evolution  The change in the types of traits that show up in a population over time.
Natural Selection  The survival of better adapted organisms.
Adaptation  A trait that increases an organism fitness.
Fitness  The ability to survive AND reproduce.
Species  Distinct organisms which will not naturally reproduce together.

5. (2)Why is sex important to evolution?
Sex allows a successful organism to pass their “fit traits” on to future generations, and strengthen the success of the population.
Think  If successful organisms did not reproduce, would a population survive? No.

6. (3) What other events can drive evolution?
Change to the environment / resources.
Migration  When organisms with different traits move into a new population and reproduce.
Geographic Isolation  When barriers like land or water separate a population into groups that no longer reproduce together.
Genetic Drift  The random “removal” or certain organisms, and their traits, from the population.

8. (4) Evolution is not… Evolution is not:
The extinction of all “old” organisms, and only the survival of “new” and modern day organisms.
The changing a population to be more perfect.
A linear progression.
Evolution IS the change in a population because only some are able to stay alive, and because only some are able to find mates and reproduce.