2016_H2_Diversity_and_Evolution_Lecture_Notes_Updated

NANYANG JUNIOR COLLEGE H2 Biology Diversity and Evolution J2/2016 1 TOPIC Q : DIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION Learning Outcome Candidates should be able to Core Topic 7 – Diversity and Evolution (a) Explain the binomial nomenclature of a species and hierarchical classification. (b) Describe the classification of species into taxonomic gr oups (genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom) and explain various concepts of the species. (Knowledge of biological ecological, morphological, phylogenetic concepts of species is required.) (c) Explain how species are formed with reference to geographica l isolation, physiological isolation and behavioural isolation. (d) Explain the relationship between classification and phylogeny. (Evolutionary relationships between organisms should be reflected in systematic classification.) Classification is the organisation of species according to particular characteristics. Classification may not take into consideration evolutionary relationship between the species. Phylogeny is the organisation of species according to particular characteristics which takes into consider ation the evolutionary relationship between the species. (e) Explain why variation is important in selection. (f) Explain, with examples, how environmental factors act as forces of natural selection. (g) Explain how natural selection may bring about evolution. (h) Explain why the population is the smallest unit that can evolve. (i) Explain how homology (anatomical, embryological and molecular) supports Darwin’s theory of natural selection (with emphasis on descent with modification). (j) Explain how biogeography and the fossil re cord support evolutionary deductions based on homologies. (k) Explain the importance of the use of genome sequences in reconstructing phylogenetic relationships and state the advantages of molecular (nucleotide and amino acid sequences) methods in classifying organisms. (l) Explain how genetic variation (including recessive alleles) may be preserved in a natural population. (m) Briefly describe the neutral theory of molecular evolution in terms of mutations producing new molecular variants which are selectively neutral . (Knowledge of genetic drift and molecular clock is required.) Use the knowledge gained in these sections in new situations or to solve related problems.

NANYANG JUNIOR COLLEGE H2 Biology Diversity and Evolution J2/2016 2 Content Outline 1. Introduction 2. Classification of Organisms (a) Hierarchical classification (b) Binomial nomenclature (c) Phylogeny (d) Molecular methods of classification 3. The Various Concepts of Species (a) Biological concept of species (b) Ecological concept of species (c) Morphological concept of species (d) Phylogenetic concept of species 4. Natural Selection and Evolution (a) Darwin’s Theory of Evolution via Natural Selection (b) Forces of natural selection (c) Isolation mechanisms for speciation (d) The Neo-Darwini