Textbook Question
Genetic drift, an evolutionary process affecting all populations, can have a significant effect in small populations, even though its effect is negligible in large populations. Explain why this is the case.
Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Molecular Basis of Heredity, Variation, and Evolution64
- Ch. 2 - Transmission Genetics144
- Ch. 3 - Cell Division and Chromosome Heredity81
- Ch. 4 - Gene Interaction87
- Ch. 5 - Genetic Linkage and Mapping in Eukaryotes103
- Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages73
- Ch. 7 - DNA Structure and Replication71
- Ch. 8 - Molecular Biology of Transcription and RNA Processing79
- Ch. 9 - The Molecular Biology of Translation110
- Ch. 10 - Eukaryotic Chromosome Abnormalities and Molecular Organization100
- Ch. 11 - Gene Mutation, DNA Repair, and Homologous Recombination86
- Ch. 12 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria and Bacteriophage90
- Ch. 13 - Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes38
- Ch. 14 - Analysis of Gene Function via Forward Genetics and Reverse Genetics72
- Ch. 15 - Recombinant DNA Technology and Its Applications69
- Ch. 16 - Genomics: Genetics from a Whole-Genome Perspective49
- Ch. 17 - Organelle Inheritance and the Evolution of Organelle Genomes27
- Ch. 18 - Developmental Genetics43
- Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits66
- Ch. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular Levels105
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooks
Sanders 3rd EditionCh. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular LevelsProblem D.7
Sanders 3rd EditionCh. 20 - Population Genetics and Evolution at the Population, Species, and Molecular LevelsProblem D.7Chapter 20, Problem D.7
Carl Linnaeus, the 18th-century botanist who laid the foundation for the modern system of taxonomic nomenclature, placed chimpanzees and humans in the same genus. Discuss the merits of this classification.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the basis of taxonomic classification, which groups organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships, with genus being a rank that includes species that are closely related.
Step 2: Review the morphological and genetic similarities between humans and chimpanzees, such as DNA sequence similarity (approximately 98-99%), similar anatomical features, and shared behavioral traits.
Step 3: Consider the evolutionary perspective, noting that humans and chimpanzees share a recent common ancestor, which supports grouping them in the same genus from a phylogenetic standpoint.
Step 4: Evaluate the merits of Linnaeus's classification by discussing how placing humans and chimpanzees in the same genus reflects their close evolutionary relationship and helps clarify biological similarities.
Step 5: Reflect on any limitations or controversies of this classification, such as the implications for human uniqueness and the criteria used for defining genera in modern taxonomy.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Taxonomic Classification and Nomenclature
Taxonomy is the science of naming, defining, and classifying organisms based on shared characteristics. Linnaeus developed a hierarchical system (kingdom, genus, species) that groups organisms by similarities, providing a universal language for biology. Understanding this system is essential to evaluate why humans and chimpanzees might be placed in the same genus.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:24
Sex Determination
Genus Concept and Criteria
A genus groups species that are closely related and share a recent common ancestor, often exhibiting similar morphology and genetics. The decision to place humans and chimpanzees in the same genus reflects their close evolutionary relationship, which can be assessed through anatomical, genetic, and behavioral similarities.
Recommended video:
Guided course
06:39Speciation
Evolutionary Relationships and Phylogenetics
Phylogenetics studies evolutionary relationships using genetic and morphological data to construct family trees. Modern evidence shows humans and chimpanzees share about 98-99% of their DNA, supporting their close kinship. This concept helps justify or critique Linnaeus’s classification based on evolutionary lineage rather than superficial traits.
Recommended video:
Guided course
08:16Phylogenetic Trees
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Consider possible societal and ethical dilemmas that might arise if we currently shared the planet with another hominin.
1
views
Textbook Question
Over the course of many generations in a small population, what effect does random genetic drift have on allele frequencies?
2
views
Textbook Question
Catastrophic events such as loss of habitat, famine, or overhunting can push species to the brink of extinction and result in a genetic bottleneck. What happens to allele frequencies in a species that experiences a near-extinction event, and what is expected to happen to allele frequencies if the species recovers from near extinction?
Textbook Question
Describe how selection at a locus can result in a loss of polymorphism surrounding the locus.
Textbook Question
George Udny Yule was wrong in suggesting that an autosomal dominant trait like brachydactyly will increase in frequency in populations. Explain why Yule was incorrect.
3
views