Assignment 3: Gene flow
Assignment 3: Gene flow
1. Using an example, explain how the phenotype of an organism in the present could be explained by some combination of gene flow, selection, and genetic drift in the past. How would you distinguish one agent of evolutionary change from another? A complete answer must address all three agents, even if they are not of equal magnitude in your example. Note that this example can be hypothetical –we are looking for insight into evolutionary change, not specific details on a real organism.
2.Organisms that are consumed by other organisms –the resources in consumer/resource interactions –are generally under strong selection pressure to avoid or minimize damage from their consumers. Describe three distinct ways that organisms defend themselves (i.e., reduce the likelihood of being consumed), using one counterexample plant,one from vertebrate, undone from an insect.For one of these examples, also give an example of how a consumer’s morphology,behavior, or physiology has responded to overcome this defense. You can draw examples from the textbook, lecture material, or other resources but all examples should be real organisms.
