2-7 Natural Selection

Lecture 2.7 Natural Selection

Overview

Understanding how traits are passed from parent to offspring represents only part of our knowledge of why traits exist in families, species and higher taxa. The effect those phenotypes have on the organism is also critical. Beneficial traits tend to increase in populations, whereas detrimental ones die out. This concept–called natural selection, and first introduced by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace–helps explain why genes act the way they do. It is also of central importance in the modern practice of medicine.

Activities

  1. Read Sections 22.1, 22.3 and 22.4 of the textbook.
  2. Download Lecture 2.7 Slides.
  3. Do one of the following:
    1. In-person section: Attend Lecture 2.7.
    2. Online section: Watch the following videos:
      1. Video 2.7.1, Artificial Selection.
      2. Video 2.7.2, Natural Selection.
      3. Video 2.7.3, Evolution in Medicine.
  4. Complete the questions on Study Guide 2.7.