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How does genetic variation within a population increase that some members of the population may adapt better to the environment?
Genetic variation within a population increases the chances that some members of a population may adapt better to the environment because it produces many organisms with multiple phenotypes. With a variety of phenotypes, some organisms are more likely to adapt better than others in certain environments.

How does natural selection act on the distribution of traits in a population?
Natural selection acts on the distribution of traits in a population by favoring a trait that allows a population to reproduce and survive longer. By favoring a specific trait, that specific trait will be distributed widely among the members of a population. Depending on the type of trait (extreme or intermediate), the traits' distribution can be described by directional, disruptive, or stabilizing selection graphs.

Explain the mechanisms of evolution occur/describe the five factors that lead to evolution.

Gene flow - the transfer of alleles from one population to another.

Genetic drift - process in which allele frequencies change due to chance alone

Mutation - provides genetic variation; introduces a new allele

Sexual selection - occurs when certain traits improve mating success and increase in frequency as a result.

Natural selection - occurs when certain traits are an advantage for survival and reproduction and increase in frequency in generations overtime.

How does speciation occur through isolation?
Speciation occurs through isolation because isolation causes members of a population to adapt to new environments. Overtime, they become genetically distinct and are no longer considered members of the same species.

How does evolution occur in patterns?
Evolution occurs in patterns because evolution occurs in observable patterns. These include:
Convergent evolution - evolution towards similar characteristics in unrelated species.
Divergent evolution - occurs when closely related species evolve in different directions from a common ancestor.
Coevolution - process in which 2 or more species evolve response to each other.

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Webbed feet - helps propel the duck efficiently through water.

Strong beaks - All ducks have lamellae, or bony protrusions, on their beaks, but some have wider bills with membranes allowing the filtering of water for smaller animals. Others have longer, serrated bills for carving fish, mollusks, and amphibians. Ducks also use their beaks to spread oil onto their feathers.

Oily feathers - A duck behavior, called preening, allows a duck's feathers to be water resistant. The preen gland, located near the base of the tail, secretes an oil that ducks then rub with their beaks and heads onto their feathers and all over their bodies. The oil on a duck's feathers keeps the bird dry. Staying dry means staying warm and light for swimming and flying faster.

Behavioral adaptations - Females are left to raise the young, so if danger approaches, the female will quack loudly and fly away to draw the predator to herself. The babies have been taught to remain still and silent. If the predator continues its pursuit, the female will fly on to open water and pretend to be injured. The mallard is able to take flight from the water almost vertically because of the combination of the force of its wings and the paddling of its feet.

Colouration - The females have brownish feather camouflage that mimics the water. The young have a similar coloration before maturation.

*These all contribute to a duck's fitness, which is the measure of an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in an environment.

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Ducks prefer calm, shallow sanctuaries, but can be found in almost any body of freshwater across Asia, Europe, and North America. They’re also found in saltwater and brackish water and are commonly found in wetlands.

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Fossil Records - A bird of the name Gansus yumenensis was very similar to the present day duck. It had webbed feet and had features adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. The remains were found in a lake bed in China.

Common Ancestors - Ducks belong to a class Aves, which includes all species of birds. A bird species in that class during the Cretaceous Period, Vegavis iaai, is the common ancestor of waterfowl and chickens. They coexisted with dinosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. DNA Structures - Ducks have very similar DNA sequences with chickens and other waterfowl (swans, geese, etc.) which indicates that both species evolved from the ancient species of the Vegavis iaai.

Vestigial Structures - None known in ducks.

Homologous Structures - Bone structures in ducks' feet, wings, skull, body, etc. are  related to other species. For example, a duck's feet are comparable to that of a reptile.

Analogous Structures - Ducks have wings which other species (insects, flying mammals, etc.) also have.

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How did changes in the environment contribute to the duck's evolution?

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How did changes in the environment contribute to the duck's evolution?

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Sexual Selection - Occurs when certain traits increase mating success

Males court females by shaking or flicking the head side to side, looking over their shoulder, or raising up in the water and flapping their wings. They also bump their heads on the female's head. Several males often gather around a female to display. A female encourages a male by nodding her head back and forth or paddling with her head held low.

Natural Selection - Occurs when beneficial adaptations are favored by generations and overtime becomes a common trait in the population.

Webbed feet for efficient swimming

Colouration (Camouflage for moist and muddy environment)

Strong beaks (Variety of food)

Oily feathers (Body temperature)

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How do adaptation changes contribute to the expansion, emergence, and decline/extinction of some species?

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How do adaptation changes contribute to the expansion, emergence, and decline/extinction of some species?

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Expansion - Species that have beneficial adaptations can reproduce and survive longer in their environment and expand as a result. Expansion can also occur as a result of speciation  which causes a species to diversify into many species as a result of environmental changes and adaptational changes.
Emergence - Species with beneficial adaptations become genetically distinct from their ancestors and as a result, emerge as a new species.
Decline/Extinction - Emerging species with distinct genetic material leads to the extinction of their previous, less-adapted ancestors.These well suited species can then drive other species to be extinct or to undergo natural selection (evolutionary arms races), which will lead to new species whose  less-adapted ancestors will become extinct as a result.

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Scenario: 23rd century - Humans are a Superior and Genetically Designed Race that has Conquered Life and Death

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Scenario: 23rd century - Humans are a Superior and Genetically Designed Race that has Conquered Life and Death

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Ducks are most likely doomed because humans are known to cause species to become extinct at an alarming rate which prevents natural selection to take place. The ducks' environments are most likely going to be polluted due to human actions. This contaminates the ducks' natural habitats and can possibly kill them. Bodies of shallow water also have the potential to be drained by humans or flooded due to global warming. However, if these actions and events occur at a slow rate, traits such as having a strong immune system and strong resistance to contaminants and pollutants may need to be naturally selected as a beneficial adaptation. Also, the ability to eat almost anything can serve as a beneficial adaptation because contamination can most likely devastate the ducks' natural food resources. Another adaptation that can help the duck survive in its new environment is smaller body size. With smaller body sizes, ducks won't need to eat as much which is beneficial because humans have deprived the ducks of their natural food resources.

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*Ancient ancestor of duck

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*Another ancestor of the duck

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*Archaeopteryx - ancestor of modern-day birds

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*Ducks evolved into aquatic birds