The Biological Question Thread

[stonecold]

Question 7
a. A widely accepted theory of evolution states than species will gradually change over time.
Name this theory and state 3 key elements involved with the theory

Question 7
a. Natural selection (1 mark);
Any two of:
- individuals in a population contain differing genotypes and therefore differing
phenotypes
- a struggle for survival occurs in populations due to selective pressures
- the best suited phenotypes produce more offspring and therefore each new
generation will contain proportionally more of the favourable phenotype
- overtime, the new variations are so different from the original population that a new
species has evolved


Would gradualism be correct?

By the way, would anyone be in favour of creating a new post (part 2) of this one?
Or perhaps we should stay in this one?

I reckon they are right.  Gradualism/punctuated equilibrium are types of evolution.  The process is still the same.  i.e. population variation, lots of offspring and hence a struggle for survival and inheritable characteristics.

But but but... They are saying that the process is gradual. There is enough debate for neither gradualism nor punk ekk to be entrenched as the adopted theory. Therefore, the answer should be specific to the "type" of natural selection. If you answer natural selection you are implying that all selection is slow.

True.  You'd be hard pressed to find 3 differences between the two though.  Essentially they are the same thing, just the rate at which the process occurs is disputed.

I think they meant to keep it simple, but too much reading into the question with this...

[lexitu]

Yeah It's all in the interpretation of the question, not the theory itself that we are disagreeing At least VCAA exams are okay (generally). Speaking of which, the assessment report came out...

[stonecold]

Yeah It's all in the interpretation of the question, not the theory itself that we are disagreeing At least VCAA exams are okay (generally). Speaking of which, the assessment report came out...

They are such dogs.  They stuff up on a question, and don't even have the guts to own up to it or explain their reasoning!

I feel like emailing the chief examiner and politely asking them for their reasoning... that is all I want.

Do you think this translocation gametes stuff is going to come up?  I have no idea how to work them out. :S

[lexitu]

Oh I agree! I am so pissed off about them not explaining!

Translocation of gametes - it shouldn't come up in a confusing form. Shouldn't...

[Russ]

I would be extremely surprised if they asked you about the mechanics of a cross/gametes involving translocation. Far more likely (if there's a question on it) you'll be asked about how it can occur, consequences, associated diseases, etc.

Or potentially what you would expect if someone with a translocation had a child with a normal person

[stonecold]

I am drawing out how the translocation gametes by hand.  Think I am onto something.  If I work it out, I shall post.

Just for peace of minds sake.

[stonecold]

I think Russ knows this...

Only the chromosome 14's will pair because they have more genes on them so it is more important that they are conserved right?

Because if I pair the chromosome 21's then I get gametes which don't come up in that chart thing...

Edit: Here it says there will be six types of gametes. Which one is it?

[cypriottiger]

I would be extremely surprised if they asked you about the mechanics of a cross/gametes involving translocation. Far more likely (if there's a question on it) you'll be asked about how it can occur, consequences, associated diseases, etc.

Or potentially what you would expect if someone with a translocation had a child with a normal person

i think it would be a question like how gametes are effected by translocation at either meiotic division....

[stonecold]

I would be extremely surprised if they asked you about the mechanics of a cross/gametes involving translocation. Far more likely (if there's a question on it) you'll be asked about how it can occur, consequences, associated diseases, etc.

Or potentially what you would expect if someone with a translocation had a child with a normal person

i think it would be a question like how gametes are effected by translocation at either meiotic division....

The only thing which makes it hard is not knowing how the chomosomes are going to pair...

[Russ]

Here are 2 photos that might clear that up, they're from my notes last semester. You might want to download them, viewing them in your browser probably won't be easy.

If you don't mind, I'll answer the question properly tomorrow, head is killing me from futsal earlier

[akira88]

Yeah It's all in the interpretation of the question, not the theory itself that we are disagreeing At least VCAA exams are okay (generally). Speaking of which, the assessment report came out...

They are such dogs.  They stuff up on a question, and don't even have the guts to own up to it or explain their reasoning!

I feel like emailing the chief examiner and politely asking them for their reasoning... that is all I want.

Do you think this translocation gametes stuff is going to come up?  I have no idea how to work them out. :S

Hmm well I came across a translocation question in Checkpoints (2009) and it gave the chromosomes in 2 gametes, and asked for what the other 2 gametes would consist of. But what I asked before was if those 4 gametes shown in that diagram were the ONLY possible gametes that would form from the mother...
And sorry if you actually did answer it and I just quickly scanned past it due to my fatigue zZZzz.

[sillysmile]

I seriously hope translocation involving gametes does not show up on the biol exam, because it confuses the hell out of me.

[Allygator]

I'm a bit confused about the difference between incomplete dominance and co-dominance as I've heard many different opinions on the matter.
For example:
If you were to breed a white flower with a red flower and the offspring were all pink would VCAA call this incomplete dominance or co-dominance? My teacher at school says its incomplete as its a blend of the two, but I've also heard that it would be co-dominance because in effect both alleles are fully expressed because there are both red and white pigments they are just such small 'dots' they appear to be pink.

What are your thoughts?

[thushan]

Co-dominance; incomplete dominance is not in the study design, so if VCAA asks a question and you are unsure about whether it is incomplete dominance or co-dominance (the ones where you have to split hairs), just put in co-dominance.

[sillysmile]

Co-dominance; incomplete dominance is not in the study design, so if VCAA asks a question and you are unsure about whether it is incomplete dominance or co-dominance (the ones where you have to split hairs), just put in co-dominance.

haha, I can tell you have been listening to douchy.