Evolution Madison Zimmerman

Inbreeding: Inbreeding is very common when studying organisms and genetic lines. Inbreeding is in simple terms of the mating of organisms closely related in genetic lines and related by ancestery. Often when we think about inbreeding, the idea is associated with the breeding of family members. There are some benefits but also many downfalls to inbreeding. One problem with inbreeding is when the genetic lines are so closely related, recessive alleles can present themselves at higher rates.  When looking at inbreeding, it is important to recognize some of the benefits when looking at inbreeding because inbreeding can lead to the evolution of assortative mating. Assortative mating is a mating pattern in which similar phenotypes mate with one another more frequently than would be expected under other random matting patterns. Phenotypes that would be present in this setting include body size, skin coloration, and other traits. Some benefits include creating ideal specimens, the stronger...

 Well, week 5 allows for some creativity so I started reading about abnormal evolution cases and came across a random website that explains "10 animals evolution plucked straight out of a nightmare" and was intrigued. Then when you go down that rabbit hole, there is no stopping. There are unique cases everywhere and strange organisms that have evolved into unique case studies. Some of the most interesting involves organisms that I had never heard of. It's interesting how different organisms can evolve and withstand the most absurd living conditions, yet other organisms die off so quickly. With genetics and gestation, it's easy to see how some can adapt and how many can not. One of the interesting species I came across is known as the yeti crab. The species has evolved to be able to live in an environment of 720-degree Fahrenheit thermal vents. Yet we are watching species die each day because of global warming. It just impresses me that their bodies are able to withsta...

  Do you think mutation rates evolve? Explain your answer in the context of Darwin's postulates about natural selection! I believe that mutation rates evolve through the generations. Mutations are part of evolution because, without a change in mutations, nothing will occur. The change could not happen if mutation rates evolved. The mutation is a key driver in genetic variation and genetic drift. The changes are necessary for genetic changes and selection purposes. The new mutation rates evolve and cater to increase or decrease in fitness, genetic variability to avoid inbreeding and other necessary changes. Mutation rates can also increase or decrease in genes and the rate can change depending on the evolution occurring. In the context of Darwin’s postulates, evolution is occurring and leading to natural selection. The three postulates are “individuals within species are variable, some of these variations are heritable, and individuals that reproduce the most are those with the most...

  How do you define fitness?  There are many ways to go about defining fitness and definitions can vary, but there are underlying themes that play into the concept that can help us define its meaning. A simple way of interpreting it is the actual strength of natural selection on different variables being measured within a population. Natural selection and fitness go hand in hand and fitness play into the concept of natural selection immensely. It can be assumed that fitness plays into the particular phenotype of the gene pool for the following generations. Fitness in itself is a quantitative measure of natural selection and it quantifies an individual's reproductive success within the population. It also contributes to the average in a gene pool of the following generation by individuals of a specific phenotype in a population's environment. Fitness is used to compare one phenotype to another phenotype. Fitness has many contributing factors but it is the organism's ability ...

  There is evidence all around us showing us that evolution is taking place and has been occurring since the beginning of time. Each species and life form is affected by evolution in some capacity. Evolution can look different for each species but it is happening to us all. The most compelling evidence showing that evolution is occurring comes from Darwin's idea that lineages split and diverge. This idea is traceable and can be seen in so many different examples. Speciation in simple terms is the idea that there is a split in the lineage that causes a new formation of distinct species through the course of evolution. Speciation can be seen over many generations through the use of fossils and comparisons between organisms that are currently living. There is diversity in an entire clade that can be explained by speciation. https://microbenotes.com/speciation/ One example is in the evolution of the Galapagos finches. The finch adapted to its surroundings and changed based on its needs...

  In your own words, how would you explain what evolution is? This question seems simple but answering it is quite difficult. Not because it is difficult to understand, but because of the amount of grey area that lies within the subject. Evolution is all around us. We are immersed in an ever-changing society. I would explain evolution in a biological sense as the change in characteristics of a species over a time period (measured in generations). Each species has a different generational time, so we have to measure time in that aspect. Bacteria can adapt very quickly while other species may take more time to evolve. There is a modification in successive generations due to natural selection that allows species to change and develop. Evolution is both fact and theory and allows us to begin to understand how life emerged and evolved early in time. Living organisms developed and became diverse as they evolved throughout history. They adapted to environments or took changes on for other...

  What is your name, where are you from, and where do you hope to go? My name is Madison Zimmerman. I am from Parker Colorado. I was raised in Colorado, but all my family is from Goodland Kansas. I hope to go back home to Colorado and live in the mountains. I will further my education for a while and get my master's then head to medical school but ultimately, I want to go back home to work.  What is something you are passionate about? I am passionate about helping others, I believe if there is something I can do then I must help. There is so much we can accomplish when people help each other out. In addition, I am passionate about helping others because of my experiences in the medical field. I learned so much about medicine but also just about people. When you can offer them help on the medical side, that is valuable. But when you can just be there for them as a friend, that's more valuable because you never know what someone is going through. Having compassion is key. I am a...