UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA School of Biological Sciences Main Series UG Examination 2014-2015 EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY & CONSERVATION GENETICS BIO-3C24 Time allowed: 3 hours Answer ALL questions in Section A and ONE question from Section B. Write answers to EACH SECTION in a SEPARATE booklet. The maximum number of marks available for your answers in SECTION A is 50 marks The maximum number of marks available for your answer in SECTION B is 50 marks The TOTAL number of marks available for the paper is 100 Numbers in square brackets [ ] indicate the relevant mark applied to each part of the question. Notes are not permitted in this examination. Do not turn over until you are told to do so by the Invigilator. BIO-3C24 Module Contact: Dr Doug Yu, BIO Copyright of the University of East Anglia Version 1
2 SECTION A: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Answer ALL questions 1. What is a mutation load, and when is it observed? 2. What is Muller s Ratchet? [2 marks] 3. What are the effects of inbreeding on fitness? What is this phenomenon called? 4. What is trans-species polymorphism (or trans-species evolution)? Give an example. 5. What is genetic introgression and when does it occur? What are the potential effects with respect to adaptive evolution? Name an example. 6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of mtdna genes as a molecular marker? When is it appropriate to use mtdna as a genetic marker? Explain why. 7. What is background selection and what are its consequences? Name an example. 8. What is anagenesis and what is its effect on biodiversity? [2 marks] 9. Name two types of reproductive isolation. Which type of reproductive isolation is predicted to evolve over time in two sympatric species (i.e. species occurring in the same habitat)? Explain why this type of reproductive isolation is most likely to evolve in this scenario. 10. Name three genetic processes that can lead to extinction. 11. What is epigenetic variation? Give an example. [2 marks] 12. What does Fis express, and how is it calculated? What are the possible reasons for a negative Fis value? Section A continues on next page/...
3 Section A continued... 13. You conduct a population genetic analysis and find that the survival rate of the three genotypes are AA = 50% survival, AB = 50% survival, and BB = 25% survival. Calculate the selection and dominance coefficients. What is the technical term for the B allele? 14. What are the three conditions of adaptive (genetic) evolution? 15. Draw a diagram explaining the difference between a homologous and homoplasious character. 16. What is linkage disequilibrium, and how does it affect adaptive evolution? Name an example. END OF SECTION A START YOUR ANSWER TO THE NEXT SECTION IN A NEW BOOKLET Section B begins on next page/... TURN OVER
4 SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTION Answer ONE question [50 marks] 17. Explain the impact of balancing selection on evolution and population genetics, considering its effects on both within-population and between-population genetic variation. 18. Discuss the pros and cons of keeping a species as a single large breeding population and keeping a species in several small populations (the SLoSS, Single Large or Several Small debate) as strategies in conservation biology. Where appropriate give consideration to the use of F-statistics, case studies of fragmented (endangered) populations, and metapopulation biology. 19. Explain the role of hybridisation in adaptive evolution and speciation, and how and why it can drive adaptive radiations. END OF PAPER
5 BIO-3C24 MAIN EXAMINATION MARKERS 2014-15 [Do not print this when printing to take to Examinations Office! This is for our information only.] Question No. 1 st Marker 2 nd Marker Section A Q1 16 Dr Cock van Oosterhout Dr Doug Yu (ENV) Section B Q17-19 Dr Cock van Oosterhout (ENV) Dr Doug Yu