Lesson 4: Artificial Selection

Question 1

what is the source of genetic variation and new genetic information

Answer 1

mutations

Question 2

types of mutations (neutral, harmful, beneficial)

Answer 2

• neutral mutations provide no benefit or harm to the individual (like if the mutation is in “junk” DNA)
• harmful mutations reduce the reproductive success of the organism (like Turner’s syndrome)
• beneficial mutations produce a change that gives the individual an advantage (like drug resistant bacteria)

Question 3

how can some mutations have serious consequences on human health? in terms of viruses

Answer 3

• even viruses carry genetic information even though they are not “alive”
• this means that they are also genetically variable and therefore can change over time
• sometimes these mutations can increase the viruses virulence or ability to spread

Question 4

what is domestication

Answer 4

its the changing of members of a species to suit human needs through controlled captive breeding

Question 5

what is the controlled captive breeding process referred to as

Answer 5

artificial selection

Question 6

examples of artificial selection

Answer 6

the domestication of dogs from wolves or wild sea cabbage to modern veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli

Question 7

how does domestication work

Answer 7

when a trait that is ideal is observed, that plant is chosen to reproduce
- this means that the trait is more likely to show up in the next generation

Question 8

example of domestication

Answer 8

when aboriginals domesticated the tomato, they selected seeds from plants that had larger and tastier fruit
- these plants would be cross pollinated and therefore large and tasty tomatoes became more and more common over time

Question 9

what else can artificial selection produce (in terms of individuals and variability)? + example

Answer 9

artificial selection can also produce individuals far beyond the natural variability within the original population
- ex: there were no chihuahua sized wolves in the original wild wolf population

Question 10

why does artificial selection need to be done carefully?

Answer 10

because it can reduce genetic diversity
- this loss of diversity can make the populations more vulnerable to disease or extinction

Question 11

example of domestication as a result of artificial selection

Answer 11

domesticated animals such as french bull dogs, pugs, and other dogs with flat faces are a result of extreme artificial selection- there are breathing and other health related issues with these puppies

Question 12

review info on expert group work attached in homework assignment