Adopting

Animals, like female lions, have been observed adopting the young offspring of they prey they recently killed and ate. Does this demonstrate some form of inter species altruism. Is there a selective advantage for the predators who choose to do this? Connect this theme to interdependence in nature.

Evolution you can see!

On P.135-136, Coyne described an experiment conducted in California to test the hypothesis that drought causes plants to flower earlier. The plant used was the mustard plant, Brassica rapa, and after the five year experimental period, the plant descendants of original plants in the experiment began to flower a week earlier. This is an example of evolution that can be seen within a human lifetime. What are other examples evolutions that can be witnessed within a human lifetime? What causes these evolutions? Finally, how does this relate to the biological themes?

The Present Day

Most of the prompts talked about earlier were either about the past or the future but "what about now?" Coyne said, "Although selection doesn't seem to have produced major differences between races, it has produced some intriguing differences between populations [<---italicized] within ancient groups. Since these populations are quite young, it is clear evidence that selection has acted in humans within recent times" (216-217). Coyne provided an example of how people begin to lose the ability to digest lactose after weaning becoming lactose intolerant. Provide another example to show how natural selection has occured in humans within recent times. Also, What changes in future populations would today's society cause?

Once Useful, now harmful

Coyne mentioned that "genes that were once useful may, due to cultural change, now have destructive effects" (218). Coyne provides the example of how our love for sweets and fats resulkt in obesity, tooth decay and heart problems. Why do you think this happens? Provide other examples where once useful genes, now have many side effects.

Natural Selection vs Sexual reproduction

Coyne said, "...NAtural Selection isn't the only process of evolutionary change. Most biologists define evolution as a change in the proportion of alleles (different forms of gene) in a population" (122). Compare and contrast evolution involving genes and evolution involving natural selection. Which process do you think provides the better results and why?? Explain by providing effective examples and make sure to relate ur respose to the biological themes and the AP Biology course.

Animals that are just FABULOUS!!!

Today I was watching an episode of the Colbert Report on Hulu. At the end of the show there was a guest on by the name of Jon Mooallem promoting an article he wrote in New York Times Magazine called “They Gay?” Basically, the article is about recent observations of same sex activity seen in about 450 different species of animals. A few examples given are female koalas, male dolphins, and female albatrosses. The animal focused on the most in the article is the female albatross. Scientists are beginning to think that these albatrosses might be lesbians, or “albatresbians” as Colbert puts it. In the albatross's case, one or both females will have an egg (prior to having the egg the females will go off and mate but come back to the nesting site). Then both will raise the chick together. Could the albatrosses not recognize the other as being the same sex, since many monogamous pairs are hard to distinguish as being male or female? Do you believe that there is a selective advantage to this behavior? Support your answer with previously discussed material (see chapters 46 and 51). Do you hypothesize that animals exhibiting same sex activity are evolving to become hermaphrodites? Try to relate this theme to Continuity and Change, Interdependence in Nature, or maybe even Regulation.
Eric Hennings

Whales!

From pages 47-52, Coyne talks about the evolution of whales. He notes how unique the evolution of whales was, since whales evolved from land mammals. There is striking evidence in support of this idea, mostly from fossils that clearly show whale fossils appearing no earlier than 30 million years ago. We know that whales evolved from land mammals, but my question is: why do you think that whales moved from land to aquatic/marine environments? What benefits did the whales gain from this transition? What new obstacles did/do whales face as a result of this transition? Be sure to use Coyne's book, as well as outside knowledge (look up information about whales!) when answering this question. Also, don't forget about themes!