Topic 2 - Learning Outcomes

Topic 2.1 - Genetic Variation and Drift Learning outcomes Explain how the Hardy–Weinberg (H–W) equation can be used to determine whether a population is evolving. Calculate allele frequencies to determine whether a population is in H–W equilibrium. List the conditions necessary for a population to be in H–W equilibrium. Explain what is meant by genetic drift and why population size affects the rate at which it proceeds. Describe what is meant by a population bottleneck, citing an example. Explain the difference between natural selection and genetic drift.

Topic 2.2 - Natural Selection + Adaptive Evolution Learning outcomes Explain the conditions necessary for natural selection to occur and illustrate these conditions using examples. Use the Hardy–Weinberg equation to determine whether or not a population could be evolving due to natural selection. State what is meant by fitness and explain how it can be used to determine the rate of allele frequency changes in populations due to natural selection. Describe how interactions between alleles can affect their frequency in a population. Explain, with examples, how balancing selection maintains genetic diversity in populations in the face of directional selection and why inbreeding can reduce genetic variation in populations.

Topic 2.3 - Quantitative Genetics (Natural Selection + Evolution of Phenotypes) Learning outcomes Explain what is meant by a quantitative trait. Explain the relationship between a population’s response to selection with respect to a quantitative trait and the heritability of that trait. Describe how scientists study the genetics of quantitative traits. Compare and contrast evolutionary and plastic changes in a phenotype.

Topic 2.4 - Evolution of Sex and Sexual Selection Learning outcomes Explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction. Discuss the difference between males and females in terms of their investment in sexual reproduction. Explain the difference between intrasexual and intersexual selection and give examples of each. Identify direct and indirect benefits of mate choice. Compare and contrast ‘good gene’ and ‘arbitrary preference’ models of sexual selection.