ecosystems and evolutionary change environmental sciences: towards a sustainable future chapter 4...
TRANSCRIPT
Ecosystems and Evolutionary Change
Environmental Sciences: Towards a Sustainable Future Chapter 4 Part 2
This Lesson Discusses Those Factors That Contribute to Ecosystem Change Change is inevitable. Adaptations, natural selection and
sexual reproduction are the tools of change.
Differential vulnerability of each species to environmental change.
Change on a geological time scale.
Selection of Traits and Genes: Definitions DNA: molecule that carries the
genetic code of an organism Chromosome: structure on which
DNA of an organism is arranged
Selection of Traits and Genes: Definitions Gene: segment of DNA that codes for
a particular protein Allele: form of a gene. Each person
carries 2 alleles for each gene Trait: certain characteristic of an
organism; e.g., hair color, disease resistance, intelligence
Selection by the Environment Genetic variation: genetic differences
that exist among individuals Gene pool: sum total of all the genes
that exist among individuals of a species
Selection by the Environment is “Natural Selection”
Differential reproductive success (or “fitness” in Darwinian terms): some individuals in the population survive to reproduce more than others
Change Through Selected Breedingis “Artificial Selection”
Selected breeding: artificial selection e.g., selection for
dogs with shorter legs
Corn for higher yeilds even with overcrowding
Process is repeated in subsequent generations
Change Through Natural Selection Factors of environmental resistance act as
selective pressures Natural selection: the process by which
evolution occurs Individuals which possess certain traits
can produce more viable offspring than individuals lacking those traits and continue their gene line, while others who are less adapted die off
Genetic Variation Generated by sexual reproduction Each gamete (sperm and egg) carries
one set of alleles Fertilization or the union of sperm and
egg results in the combination of both sets of alleles = unique individual
Genetic Variation Mutation: any inheritable change in
the DNA molecule. Lethal mutation: results in death of
organism.
Genetic Variation Neutral mutation: neither harms nor
benefits organism. Mutations are rare and random events.
Spontaneous Induced
Speciation (Evolution) Process by which separate populations
of a single species develop into distinct species.
Must have geographic separation (to prevent interbreeding) and have different selective pressures in the new environment.
Speciation Populations of a given species become
isolated from each other. No interbreeding between populations
occurs.
Developing Ecosystems All ecosystems have the same
functional “parts”. Only the “actors” who play these parts are different across ecosystems.
Example: Buffalo vs. Kangaroo
Developing Ecosystems Why have species evolved so
differently across ecosystems with similar environmental conditions? (Hint: remember the recipe for change.)
The Limits of Change Factors affecting species’ adaptation
to environmental change: Geographical distribution. Habitat specialization. Genetic variation. Size of individual. Reproductive rate.
Evolution Natural selection occurs slowly vs. Punctuated equilibrium theory: model of
evolution in which there is little change in a balanced ecosystem. A shift in the environmental conditions will alter selective pressures, thereby causing rapid changes in the species until balance is restored.
Plate Tectonics Tectonic plates: slabs of rock that
make up the earth’s surface; 14 major plates
Tectonic plates move approximately 6cm per year
4 basic tectonic plate interactions
Divergent Boundaries Rising convection currents of hot less
dense magma force apart plates Result: mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys
Transform Boundaries Two plates slide
past each other Result: fault lines
marking major earthquake activity; San Andreas fault in California
Convergent Boundaries Ocean-Continental Plates moving toward each other Result: dense oceanic plate moves under a
continental plate creating subduction zone, oceanic trench and volcanic activity; like Cascade mountains of California
Convergent Boundaries Continental-Continental Collision
Formation of mountain ranges like Himilayas, Alps etc.
http://www.hcrhs.hunterdon.k12.nj.us/science/helen.html
What happened when Mount St.Helens erupted?
Convergent Boundaries Ocean-Ocean Collision Create subduction zones, oceanic trenches and
underwater volcanoes, often resulting is island chains (island arcs)
Tectonic Movement has dramatic Climatic Effects Changing position on earth’s surface
isolates or connect new communities Movements alter ocean currents Mountain formation alters air currents Geological Activity along boundary
lines like volcanoes and earthquakes