Modern Synthetic Theory and Neo-Darwinism

Introduction

• The development of Modern Synthetic Theory resulted from the combination of Darwin's theories and contemporary genetics.
• This theory attempts to explain how diversity arises in populations and how evolution occurs.

Features of Modern Synthetic Theory

• Huxley introduced the term "Modern Synthetic Theory."
• This theory was developed by combining Darwin's theories and genetics in Dobzhansky's 1937 book "Genetics and Origin of Species."
• It establishes a connection between biological evolution and contemporary genetics.

Key Points

1. Basic Factors

   • Genetic Diversity
   • Direction of Evolution

2. Auxiliary Factors

   • Migration
   • Hybridization

Basic Factors

• Genetic Mutation
  • Sudden and permanent changes that bring new diversity to the population.
• Recombination
  • Recombination of genes during mitotic cell division.

Auxiliary Factors

• Genetic Drift

  • Random changes in small populations affecting gene frequency.
  • Given by Sewall Wright.

• Reproductive Isolation

  • Prevents breeding between different species.
  • Helps maintain the reproductive capacity of the original population.

• Hybridization

  • Crossing between two different species results in new hybrids.

• Migration

  • The movement of individuals or groups from one location to another, causing gene transfer.

Conclusion

• The Modern Synthetic Theory is helpful in understanding the process of evolution in organisms.
• This theory is a combination of Darwin's theory of natural selection and the principles of contemporary genetics.

References

• Dobzhansky's book "Genetics and Origin of Species"

• Modern Synthetic Theory given by Huxley

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