Fossils
Definition:
Fossils are preserved remains, impressions, or traces of past organisms found in sedimentary rocks.
Function/Importance:
Provide direct evidence of ancient life.
Allow reconstruction of evolutionary history and transitional forms.
Used in dating evolutionary events (relative & radiometric dating).
Example:
Archaeopteryx fossil showing transition between dinosaurs and birds.
日本語補足：化石は進化の「証拠」。時代の推定に使える。
Continental Drift
Definition:
The movement of Earth’s tectonic plates that changes the position of continents over millions of years.
Function/Importance:
Explains distribution of species (biogeography).
Causes geographic isolation → speciation.
Example:
Marsupials evolving in isolation in Australia.
日本語補足：大陸移動 → 生物が分断され進化の道が分かれる。
Common Descent
Definition:
The concept that all organisms share a common ancestor.
Function/Importance:
Core principle of evolutionary biology.
Supported by DNA homology, fossil record, embryology.
Example:
Human and chimpanzee DNA similarity (~98%).
Natural Selection
Definition:
Differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on heritable traits.
Mechanism:
Variation
Heritability
Differential survival
Higher fitness traits increase in frequency
Example:
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
日本語補足：自然選択＝「環境に合う者が生き残る」。
Sexual Selection
Definition:
Selection based on traits that increase an individual’s mating success.
Two mechanisms:
Intersexual selection: mate choice (e.g., peacock feathers)
Intrasexual selection: competition (e.g., deer antlers)
Artificial Selection
Definition:
Human-directed breeding of organisms to enhance specific traits.
Example:
Dog breeds, crop improvement.
Speciation
Definition:
Formation of new species from a single ancestral population.
Mechanism:
Allopatric speciation (geographic isolation)
Sympatric speciation (polyploidy, ecological niche)
日本語補足：重要＝「隔離が起きると遺伝的分離→新種」。
Isolation Barrier
Definition:
Barriers preventing gene flow between populations.
Types:
Prezygotic (behavioral, temporal, mechanical)
Postzygotic (hybrid sterility)
Example:
Mule (horse × donkey) is sterile → postzygotic barrier.
Red Queen Hypothesis
Definition:
Species must continuously adapt and evolve not merely to gain advantage but to maintain their fitness relative to co-evolving organisms.
Example:
Host–parasite arms race.
日本語補足：「必死に走り続けてやっと現状維持」。
Exon Duplication
Definition:
A process where a gene gains an extra copy of an exon through unequal crossing over.
Function:
Creates new protein domains → functional innovation.
Exon Shuffling
Definition:
Recombination events that mix exons from different genes, forming new gene architectures.
Function:
Major force in evolution of multidomain proteins.
日本語補足：タンパク質のブロックを組み替えて新しい機能を作る。
Polyploidization
Definition:
Whole-genome duplication leading to >2 sets of chromosomes.
Function:
Major mechanism of plant speciation.
Provides raw genetic material for evolution.
Homologous Genes
Definition:
Genes derived from a common ancestral gene.
Orthologous Genes
Definition:
Homologous genes in different species that diverged after a speciation event.
Example:
Human hemoglobin gene vs mouse hemoglobin gene.
Monophyletic Group
Definition:
A group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants.
日本語補足：「完全な枝」。
Polyphyletic Group
Definition:
A group that does not include the most recent common ancestor of its members.
日本語補足：無理やり集めたグループ（例：温血動物）。
Molecular Phylogenetics
Definition:
Analysis of DNA/protein sequences to determine evolutionary relationships.
Molecular Phylogenetic Tree
Definition:
A diagram showing evolutionary relationships based on molecular data.
Molecular Clock
Definition:
Specific DNA sequences used to identify individuals, populations, or evolutionary events.
VNTR (Variable Number Tandem Repeats)
Definition:
Repeating sequences (10–100 bp) that vary in number among individuals.
Use:
Forensics, paternity testing.
STR (Short Tandem Repeats)
Definition:
Short repeats (2–6 bp) highly variable between people.
Use:
DNA fingerprinting.
r- and K- reproductive strategies
EXTRA
r-strategy: Species produce many offspring with low parental investment; adapted to unstable environments.
K-strategy: Species produce few offspring with high parental investment; adapted to stable environments near carrying capacity.
日本語補足:
rは「数で勝負」、Kは「質とケアで勝負」。
Q: What is the good genes theory?
EXTRA
A: Females prefer mates with traits indicating high genetic quality, increasing offspring fitness.
日本語: 派手なオスを選ぶのは「遺伝的に強いから」。
Q: What is runaway sexual selection?
A: A positive feedback loop where female preference and male traits co-evolve, leading to extreme male traits.
日本語: 「メスの好み」と「オスの特徴」が暴走して派手化する。
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1. Basics of Cell Biology130
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2. DNA83
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3. RNAs and Protein82
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4. Human Genome26
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5.Cell Cycle and Cytoskeleton27
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6. Transporting Process107
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7. Mendelian Genetics41
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8. Genetic Regulation24
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9. Genes and traits89
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10. Cell Signaling124
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11. Viruses73
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12. Bacteria19
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13. Evolusion51
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14. Selective Topic60
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Practice 2. Lac operon21
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Practice 3. Genetic Problems12
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15. Cell Signaling102
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16. neural Communication56
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17. Technique51
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18. Immunobiology136
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19. Gene And Behaviour52
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20. developmental genetics0
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21. Biotechnology50
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23. Molecular Medicine (Stem cell, Gene therapy, Vaccine)50
