Evolutionary biology
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2014-09-29
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University of Cape Town
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University of Cape Town Summer School 2014
Abstract
Charles Darwin’s hypothesis of evolution by natural selection or
‘descent with modification’ underlies all modern biology. It allows us to
understand our genes, fight viruses, and understand the living and extinct
biodiversity of our planet. This course will explore how our knowledge of
evolution is important in our society today. A key question today is understanding
how the morphology of animals has diversified, given the common set
of genes that are found in vertebrate genomes. This question will be
considered in the second lecture with a focus on the homeotic genes (or
Hox genes) which are highly conserved master regulators of cell identity
and morphology in animals.
Moving to the plant kingdom, the second lecture will use
African biomes as the focus for discussing the evolution of diversity, specifically the African savanna’s ‘underground forests’ will be
described and analysed.
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Reference:
Illing, N., Muthama, M. 2014-09-29. Evolutionary biology. Recorded lecture. University of Cape Town Summer School 2014. University of Cape Town.