Evolution - Mark Ridley

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Auteur(s) : Mark Ridley

Editeur : John Wiley & Sons

Langue : Anglais

Parution : 01/09/2003

Format : Moyen, de 350g à 1kg

Nombre de pages : 800

Expédition : 2189

Dimensions : 24.6 x 18.9 x 5.3

ISBN : 9781405103459

Résumé :

Mark Ridley's Evolution has become the premier undergraduate text in the study of evolution. Readable and stimulating, yet well-balanced and in-depth, this text tells the story of evolution, from the history of the study to the most revent developments in evolutionary theory.

The third edition of this successful textbook features updates and extensive new coverage. The sections on adaptation and diversity have been reorganized for improved clarity and flow, and a completely updated section on the evolution of sex and the inclusion of more plant examples have all helped to shape this new edition. Evolution also features strong, balanced coverage of population genetics, and scores of new applied plant and animal examples make this edition even more accessible and engaging.

• Dedicated website - provides an interactive experience of the book, with illustrations downloadable to PowerPoint, and a full supplemental package complementing the book - www.blackwellpublishing.com/ridley.
• Margin icons - indicate where there is relevant information included in the dedicated website.
• Two new chapters - one on evolutionary genomics and one on evolution and development bring state-of-the-art information to the coverage of evolutionary study.
• Two kinds of boxes - one featuring practical applications and the other related information, supply added depth without interrupting the flow of the text.
• Margin comments - paraphrase and highlight key concepts.
• Study and review questions - help students review their understanding at the end of each chapter, while new challenge questions prompt students to synthesize the chapter concepts to reinforce the learning at a deeper level.

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Biographie:
Mark Ridley works in the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK, and formerly worked at Emory University, Atlanta, and the University of Cambridge, UK. He has carried out research in several areas of evolutionary biology, particularly in sexual selection and the comparative method....

Sommaire:
Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Part I: Introduction.

1. The Rise Of Evolutionary Biology.

Evolution Means Change In Living Things By Descent With Modification.

Living Things Show Adaptations.

A Short History Of Evolutionary Biology.

Summary.

Further Reading.

Study And Review Questions.

2. Molecular And Mendelian Genetics.

Inheritance Is Caused By DNA Molecules, Which Are Physically Passed From Parent To Offspring.

DNA Structurally Encodes Information Used To Build The Body's Proteins.

Information In DNA Is Decoded By Transcription And Translation.

Large Amounts Of Non-Coding DNA Exist In Some Species.

Mutational Errors May Occur During DNA Replication.

Rates Of Mutation Can Be Measured.

Diploid Organisms Inherit A Double Set Of Genes.

Genes Are Inherited In Characteristic Mendelian Ratios.

Darwin's Theory Would Probably Not Work If There Was A Non-Mendelian Blending Mechanism Of Heredity.

Summary.

Further Reading.

Study And Review Questions.

3. The Evidence For Evolution.

We Distinguish Three Possible Theories Of The History Of Life.

On A Small Scale, Evolution Can Be Observed In Action.

Evolution Can Also Be Produced Experimentally.

Interbreeding And Phenotypic Similarity Provide Two Concepts Of Species.

Ring Species Show That The Variation Within A Species Can Be Extensive Enough To Produce A New Species.

New, Reproductively Distinct Species Can Be Produced Experimentally.

Small-Scale Observations Can Be Extrapolated Over The Long Term.

Groups Of Living Things Have Homologous Similarities.

Different Homologies Are Correlated, And Can Be Hierarchically Classified.

Fossil Evidence Exists For The Transformation Of Species.

The Order Of The Main Groups In The Fossil Record Suggests They Have Evolutionary Relationships.

Summary Of The Evidence For Evolution.

Creationism Offers No Explanation Of Adaptation.

Modern Scientific Creationism Is Scientifically Untenable.

Summary.

Further Reading.

Study And Review Questions.

4. Natural Selection And Variation.

In Nature, There Is A Struggle For Existence.

Natural Selection Operates If Some Conditions Are Met.

Natural Selection Explains Both Evolution And Adaptation.

Natural Selection Can Be Directional, Stabilizing, Or Disruptive.

Variation In Natural Populations Is Widespread.

Organisms In A Population Vary In Reproductive Success.

New Variation Is Generated By Mutation And Recombination.

New Variation Created By Recombination And Mutation Is Random With Respect To The Direction Of Adaptation.

Summary.

Further Reading.

Study And Review Questions.

Part II: Evolutionary Genetics.

5. The Theory Of Natural Selection.

Population Genetics Is Concerned With Genotype And Gene Frequencies.

An Elementary Population Genetic Model Has Four Main Steps.

Genotype Frequencies In The Absence Of Selection Go To The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium.

We Can Test, By Simple Observation, Whether Genotypes In A Population Are At The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium.

The Hardy-Weinberg Theorem Is Important Conceptually, Historically, In Practical Research, And In The Workings Of Theoretical Models.

The Simplest Model Of Selection Is For One Favored Allele At One Locus.

The Model Of Selection Can Be Applied To The Peppered Moth.

Pesticide Resistance In Insects Is An Example Of Natural Selection.

Fitnesses Are Important Numbers In Evolutionary Theory And C...