Evolution and Biodiversity

Mechanisms of Evolution
Introduction to Evolution
Key Ideas:
• Evolution is based on the idea that all species are related and gradually change over time,
affecting its physical characteristics and gaining an advantage over other individuals.
• These changes in traits can be passed on to the offspring to ensure the survival of the species.
• Evolution happens when a new trait becomes more common in the population.
Introduction to Evolution
Types of Evolution:
• 1. Divergent evolution – It is the evolutionary pattern in which two species gradually become
increasingly different. This type of evolution often occurs when closely related species diversify
because of new habitats.
• 2. Convergent evolution - it is an evolutionary pattern when species of different ancestry begin to
share analogous (similar) traits because of a shared environment or other selection pressure.
• 3. Parallel evolution – It is an evolutionary pattern when two species evolve independently of each
other, maintaining the same level of similarity. It usually occurs between unrelated species that do
not occupy the same or similar places in a given habitat.
1. Mutation - A change in an organism’s DNA sequence introduces a new allele to a population. The
new trait may be harmful, neutral, or beneficial, depending on how the mutation affects the sequence
of the encoded protein.
2. Genetic drift - this refers to the change in the trait of a population due to accidental events. It
happens to all populations which can have a drastic effect on a small population.
Mutation ☞
Two main types of Genetic Drift:
2.1. The Founder Effect – A genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals leaves its
home population and establishes a new, isolated settlement.
Example: The Amish people of Pennsylvania provide a famous example of the founder effect.
2.2. The Bottleneck Effect – A genetic drift which occurs when there is a random reduction in a
population because of unforeseen events that affect the gene pool.
3. Non-random Mating – rarely is mating completely random in a population because organisms
undergo mating with individuals in proximity. However, when non-random mating occurs, it promotes
inbreeding that can lead to change in allelic proportions favoring individual that are homozygous for
particular traits.
4. Natural Selection – When the environment or condition dictates what traits will improve the
survival and reproductive process of a population. This trait will become common and be inherited.
Note: Lamarck, said that traits could develop and change during an animal's lifetime
(Lamarckism), Darwin believed that individuals were simply born with different traits and that these
differences were mostly random (natural selection).
• Charles Darwin is considered the father of modern evolution. He spent many years observing and
analyzing the environment to come up with the idea of evolution. He developed the Theory of
Evolution based on Natural Selection.
• Key points:
A. In a given population, there are variations (due to DNA).
B. Some variations are favorable. Those with favorable traits will survive and reproduce.
C. Those who survived will pass on their favorable traits to the next generation.
D. Over long periods of time, the favorable trait will become common in a population.
Evidences of Evolution
The Theory of Evolution states that all organisms on Earth have descended from a common ancestor.
In the book of Darwin, the Origin of Species, he provided pieces of evidence that evolution had
occurred on our planet.
1. Fossil Records
• Fossils are the preserved remains of plants and animals that existed a long time ago.
• Fossils are one of the significant pieces of evidence of evolutionary change. These can show the
following:
a. How current species are similar to the ancient species.
b. How some species remained unchanged for millions of years. Example: horseshoe crab
• There are about hundreds of transitional fossils used by the scientist to study evolution. Transitional
fossils contain features shared by different species.
2. Species Geographical Locations – According to the Theory of Plate Tectonics, the Earth is
composed of tectonic plates that move in response to forces acting deep within the planet. The
movement of plates affected life’s history and how species are distributed in different geographical
locations.
3. Anatomical Comparison - There are two pieces of evidence that show that the anatomy
(structure) and physiology (functions) of organisms can be an evidence of evolution.
3.1 Homologous structures – These are anatomically similar structures inherited from a common
ancestor.
3.2 Analogous structures - features of different species that are similar in function but not
necessarily in structure and which do not derive from a common ancestral feature
3.3 Vestigial structures – These are structures that are reduced forms of functional structures in
other organisms.
Population Growth
Populations are groups of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time.
Populations are described by characteristics that include the following:
1. Population size, or the number of individuals in the population.

2. Population density, or how many individuals are present in a particular area.
3. Population growth, or how the size of the population is changing over time.
Population Growth
Carrying Capacity – is the maximum size of species than the given environment can contain and
sustain indefinitely, considering the limited natural resources present in an environment. It also refers
to the number of species an environment can support without significant negative impact on the
organisms and the environment.
If the environment is below its carrying capacity, the population will increase.
If the environment is above its carrying capacity, the population will decrease.

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Evolution and Biodiversity

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Mechanisms of Evolution

Populations are described by characteristics that include the following:

1. Population size, or the number of individuals in the population.

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