10/10/2011

3.31- Evolution

Describe the process of evolution by means of natural selection

Evolution:

  • Change in the form of organisms
  • Change in the frequency of alleles
Natural selection is the mechanism of evolution. (first proposed by Charles Darwin)

Eg:
Staphylococcus aureus which causes skin and lung infection

  • The original form is susceptible to to being killed by antibiotic. This is known as MSSA
  • It then, by random mutation, forms a form which is resistant to antibiotics. This is known as MRSA
  • The change to MRSA caused the change in the frequency of the alleles and the frequency of the resistant form increased



3.30- Mutation

3.29- Species variation

Variation= differences in phenotypes
Phenotype can be modified by the genotype + environment

1- Discontinuous
2- Continuous
3- Entirely depends on environment