HSCI 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Comparative Embryology, Comparative Genomics, Genetic Drift

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSCI 100
• Professor: Ian Tietjen

Document Summary

Species - members of a population that interbreed and produce viable and fertile offspring: the designation of a species has been controversial, changes over time and space can produce new species (speciation) The tree of life: represents eukaryotic diversity at the expense of prokaryotic diversity, average lifespan of a species is about 4 million years (ultimate fate for all is extinction) Adaptation - characteristic that makes an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. Darwin"s ideas - common descent, descent with modification and natural selection. Fish, salamander, tortoise, chicken and humans in very early development share gill pouches and tails (all are vertebrates). Stereoscopic vision (depth perception: opposable thumb, well-developed brain, reduced number of offspring (usually single birth) with increased period of parental care, emphasis on learned behaviour and social interactions (culture) Prevailing anthropocentric view = we are the culmination of evolution and the most advanced or sophisticated organism on the planet.