Last
update: Oct 19, 2010. REFRESH to get
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Assignments
All
assignments should be submitted by the indicated deadlines.
Assignment 1: what is
evolution
Not
for submission
1. Clarify for yourself the
meaning of evolution by reading the following paper.
2. Browse the internet,
BIOSIS or other scientific databases and
find examples for studies that are tangent to evolution in the following
fields:
a. Biotechnology.
b. Agriculture
c. Bioremediation
For
each one of the above mentioned fields select a representative paper and
summarize the following:
a. What was the main question
dealt with by the study? (one paragraph).
b. What were the evolutionary
processes that were most relevant to the study? (1-2 paragraphs)
c. How did the
knowledge of evolution advanced or helped the study? (1-2 paragraphs)
d. What is the expected
contribution of the study to the advancement of human wellbeing? (1 paragraph).
Provide
precise refs to any source you make use of.
Assignment 2: Intelligent design (10% of
final grade)
Deadline: Nov 5, 2010
1. Read the following piece by
Allen Orr.
2. Shortly summarize the following
points:
a. Who are Allen Orr, Michael Behe and William Dembski and what
are their professional backgrounds (1 sent. each)?
b. What is irreducible complexity?
(1-2 sent).
c. What are the main arguments
raised by Behe and Dembski?
(1 par. per each).
d. What are the differences and contradictions
between the arguments made by Behe and Dembski? (1-2 pars).
e. What are the main arguments
raised by Orr in response to the views of Behe and Dembski? (1-2 pars).
Provide
precise refs to any source you make use of.
Not
for submission.
Biomorphs
is a small simulation composed by Richard Dawkins to demonstrate the operation
of natural selection and other mico-evolutionary
forces.
Follow
the instructions provided on the link to clarify for yourself and why selection
works and interacts with mutation and recombination.
Be
patient! The imaginary creatures start small and grow in time. Remember- you
are playing the selection forces in this system. Try to set a certain desired
goal and select for it.
Clarify
for yourself how selection work and the possible roles of mutation and
migration rates and that of sex on the operation of natural selection.
Assignment 4: Genetic load (10% of final
grade)
Deadline:
Dec 3, 2010
-
Shortly explain the meaning of "genetic load" and the
differences between its different usages in evolution and medicine (2-4 sent).
-
Explain the meaning of the following components of genetic load: a)
Mutational load, b) Recombinational load, c) Segregational load (1-2 sent each) and discuss the
similarities and differences in the context of EVOLUTION and MEDICINE (max 1
page).
Use
text books, scientific data bases such as BIOSIS, MEDLINE, PUBMED etc. and
relevant SCIENTIFIC internet pages.
Remember
– clearly detail any source and add links to internet sources you are using.
Assignment 5: Speciation (30% of final grade)
Deadline:
Dec 31, 2010
The
assignment touches on controlled EXPERIMENTAL studies of the mechanisms of
sympatric speciation.
-
Browse the internet, BIOSIS or other scientific databases and find two studies that specifically
examine the mode of action of at least two mechanisms of sympatric speciation (not every paper has to mention two
mechanisms...).
-
For each study answer the following questions:
1. What was the studied organism?
2. What were the studied
speciation mechanisms? (2-4 sentences)
3. What was the experimental
design and methodology? (2-4 sentences)
4. What was the studied
reproductive isolation mechanism? (1-2 sentences)
5. What were the main findings and
conclusions of the study regarding the studied mechanisms of sympatric
speciation? (300-500 words)