This document outlines learning objectives for a course on evolution. It covers key concepts like natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mechanisms of evolution. Specifically, it defines terms, compares types of selection pressure, and explains how evolutionary factors like mutation and population size can influence allele frequencies over time. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and examples of natural selection in specific populations are also discussed.

1. Evolution
BIOL 1307
Ebeling
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2. Learning Objectives
1. Define: allele frequency, genotype frequency, phenotype.
2. Define fitness in terms of reproductive success.
3. Explain how natural selection can affect allele frequencies in populations and contribute
to evolution.
4. Compare and contrast: artificial selection, natural selection, sexual selection, and
Lamarck’s idea of Acquired Characteristics.
5. Compare and contrast directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection.
6. Compare and contrast how biological mechanisms other than Natural Selection (mutation,
genetic drift, non-random mating, gene flow, and population size) can affect allele
frequencies in populations and contribute to evolution.
7. Use the Hardy-Weinberg Equations to calculate allele and genotype frequencies in a given
population.
8. List the conditions that must be met for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg
Equilibrium.
9. Differentiate between survival and fitness.
10. Give an example of how natural selection can allow the persistence of harmful alleles in a
population.
11. Explain how sexual selection can promote traits that decrease survival.
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3. Change in allele
frequency over time.
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5. Lamarck’s Acquired Characteristics
Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet, Chevalier de Lamarck (1744 – 1829)
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6. Categories of Natural Selection
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10. Sexual Selection
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11. Figure 12.5
Artificial
Selection
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12. Mechanisms of Evolution
1. Natural Selection
2.
3.
4.
5.
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14. 2.
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16. Figure 2 Map of the estimated numbers of births with sickle cell anaemia
Kato, G. J. et al. (2018) Sickle cell disease
Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers doi:10.1038/nrdp.2018.10
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17. Plasmodium
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18. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000048
Malaria risk map
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20. 3.
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22. 3a. Genetic Drift
- Founder Effect
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23. 3b. Genetic Drift – Bottleneck Effect
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24. 4. Gene Flow
= Migration
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26. 5. Non-random Mating*
* In the absence of other evolutionary factors,
non-random mating does not affect allele
frequencies in a population.
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27. Adaptation –
verb and noun
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29. Hardy-Weinberg
Equilibrium
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