Rate of Evolution

Question 1

What happens when selection pressures are high?

Answer 1

The rate of evolution is rapid.

Question 2

What are selection pressures?

Answer 2

Any factor in the internal or external environment that reduces the reproductive success of a population and influences the frequency of traits in a population.

Question 3

Why does a shorter generation time result in a high rate of evolution?

Answer 3

There are more generations in a set period time. Mutations occur during meiosis and DNA replication.

Question 4

How does a warmer climate increase the rate of evolution?

Answer 4

Heat tolerant individuals have an advantage. Over many generations this process produces a population with adaptations for a hotter environment.

Question 5

What is horizontal gene transfer?

Answer 5

Sharing of beneficial gene transfer between different lineages through sexual reproduction in bacteria.

Question 6

What does horizontal gene transfer result in?

Answer 6

Genetic variation and antibiotic resistance