Modeling Evolutionary Genetics in an Ecosystem

Glossary

Autosomal - a chromosome other than a sex chromosome
Dominant genes - when present always seen, represented by a capital letter
Dominant traits - traits controlled by a dominant gene
Gene - A specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located in the germ plasm usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
Gene variation - another word for a mutation of a gene
Heterozygous - having the two alleles at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes different for one or more loci
Homozygous - having the two genes at corresponding loci on homologous chromosomes identical for one or more loci
Pedigree - 1 : a register recording a line of ancestors. 2 a : an ancestral line b : the origin and the history of something. 3 a : a distinguished ancestry b : the recorded purity of breed of an individual or strain
Recessive genes - only manifests itself in the absence of a dominant gene; represented by a lower case letter
Recessive traits - traits controlled by a recessive gene
Sex-linked - 1 : located on a sex chromosome <a sex-linked gene> 2 : mediated by a sex-linked gene <a sex-linked character>

adaptations - modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence under the conditions of its environment
microevolution - comparatively minor evolutionary change involving the accumulation of variations in populations usually below the species level
natural selection - a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of individuals or groups best adjusted to their environment and that leads to the perpetuation of genetic qualities best suited to that particular environment
variation - divergence in the characteristics of an organism from the species or population norm or average

ecosystems - the complex of a community of organisms and its environment functioning as an ecological unit
energy pyramid - graphic representation of transfer of energy through trophic levels in a food chain; typically only 10% moves to the next level
food chain - an arrangement of the organisms of an ecological community according to the order of predation in which each uses the next usually lower member as a food source
food web - network of food chains in an ecosystem
Limiting factor - an element in an ecosystem which limits the growth of a population; can be intrinsic or extrinsic
niche - a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species c : the ecological role of an organism in a community especially in regard to food consumption
populations - the total of individuals occupying an area or making up a whole; the organisms inhabiting a particular locality; a group of interbreeding organisms that represents the level of organization at which speciation begins
Predator - one that preys, destroys, or devours; an animal that lives by predation
Prey - an animal taken by a predator as food relationship
Wildlife management - human intervention in the control of the elements of an ecosystem

Constant - mathematical expression meaning "rate of change is the same"
Exponential growth curve - unchecked or non-regulated growth, "J-shaped" curve
Flow chart - graphic representation of sequential steps in a process
Logistic growth curve - growth regulated by biotic and abiotic factors, "S-shaped" curve
Rate of Change - mathematical expression for change/time, a constant
STELLA - An acronym for "Structured Thinking, Experiential Learning Laboratory with Animation"

GRASS - Producers in food chain

Init Grass-Starting population size of grass
Grass Limit-Quantity of grass that will grow in the ecosystem (carrying capacity)
Grass Birth Rate-Reproductive rate of grass
Grass Natural Death Rate-Rate at which grass disappears in nature
Grass Lost to Rabbits-Rate at which rabbits eat the grass

RABBIT-Primary consumers in a food chain

Init Original Rabbit-Starting population size of normal rabbits
Init Changed Rabbit-Starting population size of mutated rabbits
Rabbit Birth Rate-Reproductive rate of rabbits
Rabbit Natural Death Rate-Rate at which rabbits disappear due to natural causes
Rate of Rabbit Mutation-Rate at which rabbits in the population mutate
Orig Rabbits lost to Wolves-Rate at which wolves eat the normal rabbits
Changed Rabbits lost to Wolves-Rate at which wolves eat the mutated rabbits

WOLF-Secondary consumers in a food chain

Init Wolves-Starting population size of wolves
Wolf Natural Death Rate-Rate at which wolves disappear due to natural causes
Wolf Birth Rate-Reproductive rate of wolves

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