mutationism
Jumps drive speciation
Mutationism is a largely superseded theory in evolutionary biology holding that new species arise primarily through sudden, large-scale genetic mutations rather than through gradual natural selection acting on small variations.
The theory flourished in the early twentieth century before the modern evolutionary synthesis reconciled mutation with Darwinian gradualism.
Early mutationists believed a single dramatic mutation could produce an entirely new species.
Differential reproductive success
- gradualismPhilosophy of incremental change
- neo-DarwinismEvolution merged with genetics
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
phylogeny · divergence · fitness · macroevolution · microevolution
Gene variant at one locus
- geneHereditary information unit
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
- heritableCapable of genetic transmission
polymorphism · deletion · duplication · insertion · frameshift · nonsense · translocation · inversion
Break in continuity
- variationChange from a norm
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- gene poolSpecies' total genetic diversity
Movement by bounds
- sportsCompetitive physical activities
- origin of speciesText establishing evolutionary theory
Night-blooming yellow wildflower
- MendelFounder of genetics
- rediscoveryFinding something previously known
- twentieth century1901 through 2000
- MorganAmerican horse breed
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- gradualismPhilosophy of incremental change
- neo-DarwinismEvolution merged with genetics
- speciationFormation of distinct species
adaptation · phylogeny · divergence · fitness · macroevolution · microevolution
allele
Gene variant at one locus
- geneHereditary information unit
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- genomeOrganism's total hereditary material
heritable · polymorphism · deletion · duplication · insertion · frameshift · nonsense · translocation · inversion · genetic variation
discontinuity
Break in continuity
- variationChange from a norm
- heritabilityGenetic share of variation
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
gene pool · genetic drift · selection pressure · genetic diversity
saltation
Movement by bounds
- sportsCompetitive physical activities
- origin of speciesText establishing evolutionary theory
evening primrose
Night-blooming yellow wildflower
- MendelFounder of genetics
- rediscoveryFinding something previously known
- twentieth century1901 through 2000
mutationismgradualism
Philosophy of incremental change
Darwinism · neo-Darwinism · incrementalism · uniformitarianism
mutation, mutate, mutant, immutable, transmute, transmutation, mutating, mutability, mutations