Evolution with Delaney!

In this lecture we discussed the selection coefficient. The equation used is delta p=spq s is the selection coefficient that measures the advantage one allele has over another allele. p is the frequency of the allele being discussed q is the frequency of the allele not being looked at delta p is the change in frequency of the allele being discussed When the selection coefficient is kept at .02 and the p value is changed the above graph can be made. delta p=(.02)(.7)(.3)=.0042 delta p=(.02)(.5)(.5)=.005 delta p=(.02)(.2)(.8)=.0032

The Hardy Weinberg equilibrium equation is an equation that calculates the allelic and phenotypic frequencies in a population. The equation is useful because it allows you to get a full picture of the makeup of the population even if there is minimal information given. By having the allelic frequencies we are able to predict what future populations will look like. Here is my work for the practice problems from the lecture. An example problem: Unicorns have either a sparkly or shiny horn. Shiny horns are dominant. In a unicorn population of 700 there are 84 unicorns that have sparkly horns. What are the allelic frequencies in the population? How many unicorns are homozygous for a shiny horn?

     When I first entered college I had a very basic understanding of genetics. I understood the principles of Mendelian inheritance , had used the Hardy-Weinberg equation , and had been taught about some exceptions to basic Mendelian inheritance. I believed that genes had two possible variations in alleles and that all genes were expressed. Since coming to college I have learned that genetics is much more complex than I initially thought. I now know that there can be numerous variations in alleles, DNA methylation exists, X chromosome inactivation is real, and that phenotypes can be affected by more than one gene.      My understanding of genetics changed gradually throughout my education. I have had the opportunity to take three genetics courses during undergrad and each course provides new insights to different topics. During my first General Genetics course we used human and plant examples . When I had to take the same class at OSU (my credit didn't transfer) we discussed conc

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheconversation.com%2Fmeerkats-how-we-used-radar-to-reveal-the-underground-maze-they-call-home-90878&psig=AOvVaw13AJ8jAB_n2sBa-727PFae&ust=1600315087520000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCMCUhbfk7OsCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD This week's lectures discussed altruism in the context of natural selection. Dr. Wiggins asked if we believed that kin selection is altruism. I do not believe that kin selection should be considered altruism. Altruism is defined as a behavior that increases the fitness of the recipient but decreases the fitness of the donor. Kin selection involves a donor favoring their kin. Because kin selection increases the genes of the donor as well as the recipient it should not be considered altruism. If the donor genes were not increased it could be considered altruism. However, in the case of kin selection the donor benefits as well going against the definition altruism.

  https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fconservefish.org%2F2019%2F08%2F22%2Fstatus-of-stocks-report-reminds-us-of-the-importance-of-science-based-fisheries-management%2Fatlantic-cod-noaa%2F&psig=AOvVaw06Cq1AYU6n4KS5d6l7WP2Z&ust=1599691538290000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCNiUrsHR2usCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD One of the examples of microevolution that we discussed was that of Atlantic Cod. The example was specific to a fishery that the cod were fished from. Overtime both the average body length and the 50% maturity rate declined. This microevolution occurred in large part due to the overfishing of the fishery. Fishermen targeted the larger fish and inadvertently the fish that matured faster as well (they got bigger faster, so they made up more of the large fish.) This left a larger population of smaller fish and fish that did not mature quickly. These smaller fish or slowly maturing fish reproduced with each other because there were not many large o

  This week we discussed variations in phylogenetic trees. One such variation is hybrid speciation.  Hybrid speciation is when two species mate and successfully produce offspring. These offspring do not fall under the category of either parent species but instead are their own hybrid species. An example of hybrid speciation is the liger which results from the interbreeding of a tiger and lion.    A lion, one of the liger parent species.                                 A liger, a hyrbid between a lion and tiger. A tiger, one of the liger parent species. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbioweb.uwlax.edu%2Fbio203%2Fs2008%2Fbishop_kayl%2Fclassification.htm&psig=AOvVaw2KxVUlRAFc4KOF8bY0CRnr&ust=1599147687250000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJDj38HnyusCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAc Here we have a phylogenetic tree showing the evolutionary history of cats. Highlighted in pink we have the lion and tiger. Both of these species fit into the tree nicely and we