This course will explore the basis, history, and impact of evolution. It will build an understanding of the processes of adaptive change and speciation. It aims to develop an ability to critically evaluate/analyze biological information about evolution, using basic genetics, math, and phylogenetics.
Evolution
COGBOOKS COURSEWARE
ISBN: 978-1-913014-10-0
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Explore the topics covered in Evolution
Evolutionary biology explains the complexity/diversity of life on Earth. Scientific evidence suggests that all species arose from a universal common ancestor through natural selection (an ancient process still occurring today). Although the process has imperfections, it has allowed life to endure.
Origin and Aims of Evolutionary Theory
Life on Earth
Adaptation
How traits and genes vary and how this variation is inherited is fundamental to understanding evolution. Mutation, Migration, Natural selection, and Genetic drift are the major causes of evolution. Understanding how genes interact with the environment helps us understand how phenotypes evolve.
2.1 Mutation
2.2 Genetic Drift
2.3 Migration
2.4 Natural Selection
2.5 Sexual Selection
The fitness effects of genes depend on recombination, sexual reproduction and gene interaction with the environment during development to generate the phenotype. Evolutionary development determines how changes in genes are expressed as changes in phenotypes.
3.1 Evolution of Sex
3.2 Genome Evolution
3.3 Evolution of Development
The fitness effects of genes depend on recombination, sexual reproduction and gene interaction with the environment during development to generate the phenotype. Evolutionary development determines how changes in genes are expressed as changes in phenotypes.
3.1 Evolution of Sex
3.2 Genome Evolution
3.3 Evolution of Development
Biological species interact with one another in their natural habitats this interaction can take the form of cooperation and conflict, found at all levels of biological organization. Life history traits are components of the fitness of individual genotypes, which is the basis for natural selection.
4.1 Cooperation and Sociality
4.2 Coevolution
4.3 Life History Theory
Evolutionary biology is important to humans. It has helped us reconstruct where we come from, and who are closest relatives are and were. It also helps us understand human behavior and human diseases, many of which themselves evolve. Even ideas evolve, and they may be evolving to control us.
6.1 What Makes Humans Special
6.2 There Used to be Species Similar to Humans
6.3 How Has Evolution Shaped our Behavior?
6.4 Evolution Will Probably Kill You
6.5 Zombies
6.6 Ideas Also Evolve