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Author Topic:   A question about evolution
kalimero
Member (Idle past 2470 days)
Posts: 251
From: Israel
Joined: 04-08-2006


Message 1 of 50 (364111)
11-16-2006 2:35 PM


This is a question from my ecology course about evolution:
"To an original population of 900 birds who are all homozygous aa, migrated 100 birds who are all homozygous bb. After a rough storm only 90 aa birds survived and only 10 bb birds survived. Relative to the original population, did evolution occur?"
Answer: Yes. "Before migration the frequency of allele a was 100%, after migration it was 90%, therefore evolution happened. The storm was not an evolutionary process and therefore did not change the allele frequency."
I don't understand how the mere movement of different alleles is an evolutionary process.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by New Cat's Eye, posted 11-16-2006 2:39 PM kalimero has not replied
 Message 4 by Hyroglyphx, posted 11-16-2006 4:07 PM kalimero has not replied
 Message 32 by RAZD, posted 11-17-2006 5:25 PM kalimero has replied

  
kalimero
Member (Idle past 2470 days)
Posts: 251
From: Israel
Joined: 04-08-2006


Message 36 of 50 (364528)
11-18-2006 9:31 AM
Reply to: Message 32 by RAZD
11-17-2006 5:25 PM


General reply:
1) It is reasonably to assume that they are the same species (they can interbreed).
2) It is reasonable to assume that a and b are different alleles of the same gene (If you were wondering).
*As this is a hypothetical question there is no reason to argue over these points (they are arbitrary).
*As stated in the OP this is a question in ecology, and when studying ecology you cannot take into account the whole population of the species - you must restrict yourself to researching a certain population (meaning "population" is also arbitrary).
Population (as my professor defines it): All of the creatures that can potentially interbreed and give fertile offspring, but...
1) Not all of the individuals breed in practice ( this also describes me).
2) They must be together for awhile (geographic isolation --> different populations).
BTW: How would you define a population that "breeds" asexually.
Reply to RAZD:
The migration did change the frequency of alleles -- IN the specific population in question. However both populations existed before: thus in a larger context evolution did NOT occur.
The definition of population resolves this - so by this definition evolution did occur.
If we are talking about a variety population then the answer is still no, because there was no change within the aa variety population or the bb variety population, other than loss in numbers due to the storm - there was no interbreeding within the context of the question.
Forget the storm - It was just an obvious diversion for those students who didn't do their homework. I always do my homework .
I'd be interested in what your professor says to these criticisms.
I have a lecture Sunday, I'll ask him.
(BTW: thank you for your responses Crash, RAZD, NJ, Jar, CS, Phalanx, Modulous)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 32 by RAZD, posted 11-17-2006 5:25 PM RAZD has replied

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 Message 37 by RAZD, posted 11-18-2006 8:35 PM kalimero has not replied

  
kalimero
Member (Idle past 2470 days)
Posts: 251
From: Israel
Joined: 04-08-2006


Message 40 of 50 (365384)
11-22-2006 1:12 PM


To all:
I had a class on Tuesday were I though I would ask the tutor about this
question, but... when I got to class I realized that I couldn't think of
any specific question to ask, on Sunday I will ask the prof. (Dr.), so
if you could give me ideas as to how to approach this... I'll post on
Sunday (promise).

Replies to this message:
 Message 41 by New Cat's Eye, posted 11-28-2006 4:58 PM kalimero has replied

  
kalimero
Member (Idle past 2470 days)
Posts: 251
From: Israel
Joined: 04-08-2006


Message 42 of 50 (366886)
11-29-2006 3:47 PM
Reply to: Message 41 by New Cat's Eye
11-28-2006 4:58 PM


Re: bump / Re: To all:
I still don't have a question to ask him.
I have a class on Sunday again, maybe you can suggest a specific question?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 41 by New Cat's Eye, posted 11-28-2006 4:58 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 43 by New Cat's Eye, posted 11-29-2006 4:17 PM kalimero has replied

  
kalimero
Member (Idle past 2470 days)
Posts: 251
From: Israel
Joined: 04-08-2006


Message 44 of 50 (366933)
11-29-2006 6:22 PM
Reply to: Message 43 by New Cat's Eye
11-29-2006 4:17 PM


Re: bump / Re: To all:
This tread is too long. I need a specific question to ask.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 43 by New Cat's Eye, posted 11-29-2006 4:17 PM New Cat's Eye has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 45 by RAZD, posted 12-01-2006 9:17 PM kalimero has replied

  
kalimero
Member (Idle past 2470 days)
Posts: 251
From: Israel
Joined: 04-08-2006


Message 46 of 50 (367565)
12-03-2006 2:01 PM
Reply to: Message 45 by RAZD
12-01-2006 9:17 PM


Re: bump / Re: To all:
the bb population just got there and had not had time to breed with the aa population -- "for awhile" does not readily apply if they weren't there long enough to breed
I'll definitely ask that one, thanx.
the bb population is a migratory variation to a non-migratory aa population -- they pass through every year on their migratory route, but never interbreed because they aren't there during breeding season
It's a bit of a stretch, but I'll try.
there have behavior barriers to mating that prevent interbreeding even if it is possible
This is a hypothetical question in ecology, this kind of assumption is a bit irrelevant.
BTW: I have been watching the videos Modulous posted ("Beyond Belief"), highly recommended!!!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 45 by RAZD, posted 12-01-2006 9:17 PM RAZD has not replied

Replies to this message:
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